clivestonehouse1 wrote:With at least 6 of the T23's (either in refit or low readiness in Devonport alone) thats a lot of crews spare.
Add to that one Albion class in low readiness also there has to be some capacity sat somewhere waiting for a sea draft.
I'm afraid you are looking at the issue up-side down.
- In RNZN, when the Frigates are in long refit, or when waiting new ships to come, they fully utilized the existing assets (patrol boats) to up-keep the training. We see no such activity in RN.
- At the same time, QNLZ and PoW is now in full man-power, requiring 800 crew each (excluding air-wing). This is "~700 more" compared to the crew of Illustrious and Ocean added.
- At the same time, RN saw significant man-power cut (2010) and also sow significant shortage even compared to the "needs after cut".
- It is officially stated, 1 escort is in extended readiness and another (or more) is in reduced crew status, because of man-power shortage.
Adding up these 4 information to the fact that so many T23 is in "extended readiness" = although explained as "waiting for refit", it is very clear for me. RN is confronting sever man-power shortage.