Most of the new escort fleet will be place by 2035 (would prefer earlier but it is what it is ) adding 3 more T-31's at the end of the B1's build could make sense this would bring the fleet to 22shark bait wrote: ↑09 Jan 2024, 10:32 While I agree in principal with the logic above, the rest of the Navy is so broken it feels ridiculous to even consider expansion like this.
First the Marines need to decide to be a airborne force, with only limited ability to bring heavy equipotent ashore. The next decade would be spent operating from the Carriers, Bays and unfortunately Argus. At the same time the Navy needs to rapidly modernise is escort fleet, and its benefits package for sailors, because these are the biggest hurdles to progress in the Navy at the moment.
Once the Marines have proven they have a concept of operations that is usable and sustainable, as well as the Navy having a routinely deployable surface fleet, then its the time to design a bespoke assault platform.
The RM are moving to LSU's of 250 troop's and have now got a 200 million pound program for 20 CIC. They also have new MRAZ's , Jackals and are keeping Viking's add to this the Merlin HC4's and what they need finish is say 8 Caimen-90 FLC this package of kit will allow them to get ashore by air and sea from say 100km with the vehicles and kit needed. As said above the key is the ability to have LSU's working alone or bring say 6 together in a battle group
The LPH needs to be say 230 by 40 meters with 4 Davits like Ocean plus a steel beech capable of holding 600 troops i.e 2 x LSU's and a Command & support unit
Last of all I don't see so much as an expansion I see it as replacement like so
Carriers we have 1 x LPH in LPD out , 4 x MRSS in Argus and 3 Bays out , 12 MHPC in 8 MCM & 5 OPV's out we have 6 tankers and the 3 SSS are ordered