This keeps getting framed around the context of new ships and I’m not sure it should be, but while you maybe able to entice new recruits you can’t keep the experienced ones you got so more money is needed what’s offered as the package.Poiuytrewq wrote:True but realistically in the Gulf everything's a floating target including the Bays and MCMV'S. RN just needs to be given the escorts to protect them as well as the commercial shipping transiting the shipping lanes.abc123 wrote:Don't agree. FLSS can be just a floating target there. Hormuz isn't the Horn of Africa or Gulf of Guinea.
Personally I think this is the first big test for Mr Williamson's Littoral Strike Group concept and actually I think it may have performed rather well. However, the commercial build standards of the FLSS are still a valid concern and remains the achilles heel of the whole strategy IMO.
Having a FLSS, 2XT31's, a Bay, a Wave and 4 MCMV'S based EoS with the ability to form a Littoral Strike Group at short notice when required would have been extremely useful in this instance, especially if it was then gradually reinforced by other T23's/T45's as necessary.ExactlyCaribbean wrote:...and the FLSS would become part of a well-protected amphibious assault groupIts Hunt that has been making all the noise about enlarging the fleet. Boris has been much quieter on the issue. Recent events will help to give useful context to the validity of the debate regarding increasing UK Defence spending.Pongoglo wrote:it might just remind Boris that there is more than Brexit to being PM and he also needs to focus on Defence.Completely agree. New ships take time to fund and build. Increasing manpower can happen very quickly if the political will is there. Making the most of what we have in the water, right now, today, is the immediate priority. The wisdom of the 6XT45, 8XT26, 5XT31 strategy can be re-examined at SDSR 2020.SW1 wrote:why ask for a bigger fleet the current one can’t be manned properly.Agreed but this must surely tie-in with the design and makeup of the FLSS/LSG. It will be interesting to see if the FLSS design starts to resemble a more Enforcer based design with a well dock to enable the embarkation of larger, more capable fast patrol craft after recent events.SW1 wrote:I think it does make a case for looking at how we proceed with littoral sea control. In the end this was 4 speed boats and helicopter maybe frigates aren’t the best way to challenge such a threat in narrow waters.Just another example of a disfunctional government that is now quite clearly not fit for purpose. Definitely time for a new broom....dmereifield wrote:But May, Hunt & co rejected it becuase they didn't want to be seen as being too close to Trump......Seems stupid to me
But what if we don’t need any new ships what if a way to deal with such issues in the least aggressive way is to offer “British” flagged ships access to an onboard security assistance team of RMs for the transit of choke points. It’s a complicated and confusing puzzle to solve in congested waterways, but one I’m sure we will.