So we'll have 47 plus 26 in total, minus the 3 experimental airframes equals 70. Enough for 3 frontline squardons, but probably not 4... Anyone know what the breakdown will be? 1st squadron is joint RAF/FAA, the 2nd is RAF (I believe?), will the 3rd be FAA? Would be nice to have at least 1 squadron...

I still hold out hope of ASROC being used in Mk41 VLS fitted to T26.

If I strain my memory, I can still vaguely remember as far back to distant past when UK F35b's landed on Queen Elizabeth!!



Hopefully not TOO long before we see that again.....

Interesting that UK and France getting closer militarily whilst seeming to be moving further apart politically. Hope this is a sign of France back into focussing on NATO rather than trying to set up EU Defence force. https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/french-general-assumes-command-of-british-army-divi...

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/cv90-in ... er-review/

Meanwhile.....

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/bae-del ... to-norway/

Not sure of the relevance of those numbers as most of those ships will be European based. The comparison of numbers of PLAN ships would need to be with the USN 7th Fleet advance deployed to Japan, plus any ships on station from USN 3rd Fleet, plus probably allied Japanese and Korean ships. Other all...

Interesting article on projected PLAN surface fleet for 2025. Much of the details were in line with recent fleet additions, although still have to note how impressive a build rate they have done so far and appear to be maintaining. New for me was talk of Type 76 LHD, presumably larger than Type 75, ...

The UK Government can talk about the pivot to the Indo Pacific or the focus on high north, but unless it backs up this with additional defence spending to meet those missions, then it is just empty words. The UK armed forces are facing many current and upcoming capability gaps before the promised ne...

If you need to build additional Warships, then it is without doubt that they will need to be crewed and maintained as well. If we have Warships in the current Fleet that cannot be crewed or maintained, that is a scandalous situation and shows (once again) that the 2010 SDR did reduce Naval personne...

Personally I would prefer another eight to twelve A400s. This has a lot more to offer if its capabilities are continually expanded, something the Germans and French seem much more interested in doing and far faster then the RAF. I think the issue is that we need UK to have a variety of transport ai...

Another 1-2 SSNs ? Certainly, but that means “Deployed”, so, if “another 1” in actual fact that would require 3 more, and if “another 2”, then up to 6 more would be required ! That is how undersized the SSN force is. We know what the obstacles to additional Warship acquisition are (and SSN in parti...

Personally I would prefer another eight to twelve A400s. This has a lot more to offer if its capabilities are continually expanded, something the Germans and French seem much more interested in doing and far faster then the RAF. I think the issue is that we need UK to have a variety of transport ai...

Is that confirmed that it will get new engine? I don't remember seeing that in the various press releases and articles about the upgrade to Challnger 3. Thanks Even tho some articles suggest new engine, seems like this is not true. Engine will be upgraded with a new cooling system but it is a not a...

Interesting YouTube video from Xavier:

It all the more frustrating that RAF has decided to retire it's own C130's without equivalent replacement. Whilst C17 Globemasters and A400M are great at larger scale strategic mobility, the C130 should still have a use in more smaller scale tactical mobilities as it can land on small rough airstrip...

Engine and Transmission, and I am sure the armour and any upgrade package are the latest available. Yes, compared to CR3, which will only get new engine, new transmission, 3rd generation of Hydrogas suspension, new modular armour, enhanced hull protection, new thermal sights ... Sure they could inc...

I agree, But as I see it, even if the FV-51's hull is based on the Latest Leopard 2 version that is not really an issue, That is know to have a very good Engine and Transmission, and I am sure the armour and any upgrade package are the latest available. The key capabilities for a MBT that really ma...

Launch of China's Type 003 CATOBAR carrier is imminient: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/launch-of-chinas-new-type-003-aircraft-carrier-imminent Expected in service date 2024-2025, although USN struggled with the new technologies in their USS Gerald R Ford, which took 3.5 years from launch to ...

Compared to River B2s, River B1 OPVs are more simple. Looking at the detail, - radar is much simple - com-link is also simpler - EO FCS is not there - much less armed which means River B1s is surely cheaper than B2s to operate. I understand RN is to replace 3 River B1s with 2 River B2s (now at EoS)...

So how would the Ukrainian Separatists 'from eastern Ukraine that are fighting for Russia in the latter's war be classified? Also regarding the two "Brits". Well one had Ukrainian citizenship and the other had applied for it, plus both had served in the Ukrainian military and reserves sin...

Probably a fevered dream 'cause the US wants those subs just as bad as us. They can hardly be begging Congress to open a third line and then go ahead and give us two subs. I don't trust the story, I'm afraid. I guess that will come down to how committed the US is to having the hard capability perma...

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-warship-leads-us-navy-task-force/ In that article there is a link to: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2022/june/07/220607-defender-leads-the-way-in-the-baltic "Defender leads the US Navy’s USS Porter and USNS W.McLean, Sweden’s ...

Not sure if this the right thread - please move if not.

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/huge-an ... -atlantic/

"NATO’s advanced anti-submarine warfare exercise, Dynamic Mongoose, will begin on the 13th of June 2022 in the North Atlantic."

@ PhillyJ- ouch. Hope feel ok soon.

Have fond memories of Collingwood whilst with the Cadets.