Search found 16 matches
- 24 Jul 2023, 11:49
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
- Replies: 1936
- Views: 254257
Re: General UK Defence Discussion
Assuming both that the Ajax programme goes ahead and that the Ares variant can have the internal racks removed to allow for a total of 10 crew and dismounts and be fitted with a RS6 RWS with Javelin & 30x113mm cannon, then would it not be better to create one decent armoured brigade with 1 recce...
- 03 Mar 2023, 14:34
- Forum: Royal Navy
- Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
- Replies: 19400
- Views: 9728301
Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
With regards to SSTD/Sonar 2170, I believe that all the MOD has ordered is three Fit-To-Receive kits, effectively meaning that just three of the five Type 31 will be FFBNW.
- 29 Nov 2022, 12:42
- Forum: Royal Navy
- Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
- Replies: 19400
- Views: 9728301
Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
One area where we could save some money to reinvest in higher priority areas is the 5-inch gun on the Type 26s. I have seen figures of up to £60 million each for these weapons. The Type 26s are our blue water submarine hunters and we are unlikely to want to expose the small number we have to attack ...
- 23 Nov 2022, 11:37
- Forum: Royal Navy
- Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
- Replies: 19400
- Views: 9728301
Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Agreed - 8 NSM, 24 CAMM, 57mm & 40mm guns and a Wildcat helo would make a good second-tier escort, except for ASW... AFAIK only three kits are to be purchased for the Type 31 to enable them to be fitted with SSTD and I believe the RN only has a limited number of SSTD systems, certainly not enoug...
- 23 Nov 2022, 08:44
- Forum: Royal Navy
- Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
- Replies: 19400
- Views: 9728301
Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
A good analysis, which arguably places the Type 31 below a second-tier escort (which would typically have more SAM, 8 or more SSM and some ASW capability), but above a high-end patrol ship (which would typically not have SAM). A third-tier escort or very high-end patrol ship!? The Type 31s in my vie...
- 21 Nov 2022, 16:23
- Forum: Royal Navy
- Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
- Replies: 19400
- Views: 9728301
Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
I don’t disagree that the RN expects the Type 31s to undertake the flag-flying presence and constabulary roles. However, the announcement on 2nd November 2021 by the then First Sea Lord that the Type 31s would be fitted for, but not with Mk.41 VLS indicates that the RN also wants the Type 31s to be ...
- 21 Nov 2022, 12:40
- Forum: Royal Navy
- Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
- Replies: 19400
- Views: 9728301
Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
By home, I meant not just the UK EEZ, but the North Atlantic and European waters in general. A major threat going forward is likely to be sabotage directed at CNI such as undersea cables. This will require increased surveillance of Russian vessels, a task for which the Batch II Rivers are ideal, and...
- 20 Nov 2022, 21:12
- Forum: Royal Navy
- Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
- Replies: 19400
- Views: 9728301
Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Does the RN really need to replace the Batch I Rivers though? With the RN no longer responsible for fishery protection anywhere in the UK EEZ, the requirement is different and arguably more focussed on shadowing Russian ships. Basing OPVs overseas for defence engagement is all very well, but the rea...
- 12 Apr 2022, 13:13
- Forum: General Discussion
- Topic: The future form of the Army
- Replies: 665
- Views: 153524
The future form of the Army
Is 16 Air Assault a viable formation any more, bearing in mind its limited mobility, protection and firepower? More to the point, if I have understood Future Soldier correctly, it is meant to be part of a Global Response Force? Sounds impressive, but how viable is it with an air mobility force of ju...
- 22 Feb 2022, 13:05
- Forum: Royal Navy
- Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
- Replies: 19400
- Views: 9728301
Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
The RN really needs more ASW-capable ships – 8 Type 26 is not enough, especially with the extremely limited ASW capabilities of the Type 45. The Type 31 can never be a Tier 1 ASW ship given its hull and propulsion, but does it need to be? The future French FDI appears similar to the Type 31 in terms...
- 07 Nov 2021, 08:14
- Forum: Joint Service
- Topic: Future cruise/anti-ship missiles
- Replies: 83
- Views: 12763
Re: Future cruise/anti-ship missiles
Whilst some of the arguments made in this forum for cancelling I-SSGW in favour of FCASW seem logical and rational, it is hard to ignore the fact that every other navy in the world is procuring current generation SSM such as NSM for their warships. If we had a greater number of SSN and/or a greater ...
- 20 Nov 2020, 10:50
- Forum: Royal Navy
- Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
- Replies: 19400
- Views: 9728301
Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
It is all very well talking about a 24 escort fleet, however that will be pointless if the majority of those 24 ships are under armed and in particular lacking in ASW capability. If the 5 (Batch 1?) Type 31 only come fitted with 12 CAMM, 1 x 57mm, 2 x 40mm and a Wildcat, then it is stretching credib...
- 05 May 2020, 13:33
- Forum: Royal Navy
- Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
- Replies: 19400
- Views: 9728301
Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
We are already there, just that we will have 6 Type 45 and 8 Type 26. If the Type 31 enters service with just 1 x 57mm, 2 x 40mm, 12 CAMM and a helicopter, it cannot realistically be classed as a frigate. It is a patrol ship, a large and very capable one, but a patrol ship nonetheless and should be ...
- 22 Jul 2019, 14:28
- Forum: Royal Navy
- Topic: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]
- Replies: 8490
- Views: 2196625
Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]
Apologies, I can see now this should have gone in the Escort thread!
- 22 Jul 2019, 10:39
- Forum: Royal Navy
- Topic: Type 31 Frigate (Inspiration Class) [News Only]
- Replies: 8490
- Views: 2196625
Re: Type 31 General Purpose Frigate [News Only]
In terms of the best design for Type 31, should we not be looking at the original Absalon class from which the Iver Huitfeldt and Arrowhead 140 are derived? AFAIK, the Absalon can carry two Merlin, approx. 200 troops, two RIBs and two decent-sized boats launched from the stern gantry. This capabilit...
- 17 Nov 2017, 12:29
- Forum: Royal Navy
- Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
- Replies: 19400
- Views: 9728301
Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Perhaps one answer to the shortage of escorts and the challenges posed by the Type31e programme is to look at the Italian PPA, which is being built in different versions. Perhaps 4 Type 31 could be built in a Full version with the BAE Mk 45 gun, 48 CAMM, 8 SSM, HMS & TAS with another 4 of a Ligh...