UK Defence Forum

Oh look at that, a general purpose platform operating from a base in the Caribbean, the future is already here!

shark bait wrote:operating from a base in the Caribbean

The RN link did not mention any base? Is it about stops for groceries, or?

ArmChairCivvy wrote:

shark bait wrote:operating from a base in the Caribbean

The RN link did not mention any base? Is it about stops for groceries, or?

SVL Montserrat.

Somewhat underwhelming as a port
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Lit ... 4381?hl=en

SVL = Secret Volcano Lair.

A bay acting as a fwd deployed martime base for HDAR and embarking US forces to conduct maritime security in the Caribbean and a bay fwd deployed in the gulf embarking US forces with unmanned systems for mine hunting and providing martime security.

Sometimes the hardest things to see are the ones right infringe of us.

The two Bays are doing great work but lets not get to excited the Waves have embarked US coast guard before on AP-N for the same role with success but I will say it is great to see

Some great images here showing the versatility of the mexefloate system.

Great tool. Looks like Mounts Bay is using "maxi" sized one, "38.41 by 7.32 metres (126.0 ft × 24.0 ft) combination", capable of 120 tonnes. The size and weight is very impressive.

I wanted to know the well-dock size of Bay class, and it looks like 40-45 m long and 8-9 m wide?

Caribbean wrote:Somewhat underwhelming as a port
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Lit ... 4381?hl=en

Bet the Sappers make max use of Moos's Place and the Aqua Seaview Bar

Nice to see the Bays working so hard

Makes you wonder as to whether it was worth it selling one considering how much they are used.

I think the answer to that is we should be building more not selling them.

Selling a nearly new Largs Bay for a pittance was an act of monumental political incompetence.

The only silver lining was that it went to Australia, a resolute and thoroughly reliable ally of the UK. It makes a very bitter pill ever so slightly easier to swallow.

Only one of the many examples of political incompetence demonstrated by that government. I'm only surprised that they did not rename one of the great offices of state as the Secretary of State for ***********ness.

Poiuytrewq wrote:
The only silver lining was that it went to Australia, a resolute and thoroughly reliable ally of the UK. .

Sorry I can’t say the same for you guys are bastards for allies......................





You should have forced the AusGov to accept HMS Invincible back in the 80’s sorry no refunds no returns,I blame the UK for the demise of the RAN maritime ASW/Strike capbilty. It all began with cancelling the CVA 01 program, bloody pommie bastards don’t even like an ice cold beer has to be warm

And the Fly Boys can't even tell where you are. Good job you are not a "Man Overboard" because if they are looking for you 500 miles away, they would never find you!

And we would have made you buy those weird humming bird like jets to replace your Skyhawks as well.

Lord Jim wrote:And we would have made you buy those weird humming bird like jets to replace your Skyhawks as well.

Funny you mention that, it was on the cards by defence planers at on stage, you guys wanted too much for a new build Invincible

http://www.harrier.org.uk/history/histo ... nunder.htm

Sea control ships were all the craze (before the 'transformation' of land power set in)
"On 9 September 1980 Defence Minister Killen advised the Australian Parliament that the Government had decided to go ahead with a replacement for HMAS Melbourne, at first to operate only helicopters with a decision on a fixed wing type put off to 1983. The choice was narrowed down to either the Spanish Sea Control Ship or the LPH. Further contracts of AU$500,000 each were awarded for further studies."
- without having the facts (some one might?) I would 'bet' that the Spanish concept evolved into their (officially) Buque de Proyección Estratégica - to justify the permanent by-the-quay-side status for their (too small) carrier. For all intents and purposes the LPH was chosen, though in the more versatile LHD format.

R686 wrote:You should have forced the AusGov to accept HMS Invincible back in the 80’s sorry no refunds no returns,I blame the UK for the demise of the RAN maritime ASW/Strike capbilty. It all began with cancelling the CVA 01 program, bloody pommie bastards don’t even like an ice cold beer has to be warm

You are absolutely correct and in an effort to atone for our previous reprehensible behaviour maybe you would allow us to build the RAN a QE class CVF for another pittance of around £4bn

Poiuytrewq wrote:

R686 wrote:You should have forced the AusGov to accept HMS Invincible back in the 80’s sorry no refunds no returns,I blame the UK for the demise of the RAN maritime ASW/Strike capbilty. It all began with cancelling the CVA 01 program, bloody pommie bastards don’t even like an ice cold beer has to be warm

You are absolutely correct and in an effort to atone for our previous reprehensible behaviour maybe you would allow us to build the RAN a QE class CVF for another pittance of around £4bn

Well we better get in fast, they just announced a 7.1B surplus last night, we better order before they waste it on pork barrelling at the next GE

Surely a surplus !!! that can't be right....

I would be up for exchanging POW/Albions for your 2 x JC LHD...ha ha

serge750 wrote:Surely a surplus !!! that can't be right....

I would be up for exchanging POW/Albions for your 2 x JC LHD...ha ha

That will be like asking for the Crown Jewels