Since the rumor that ExLS maybe going on the T26's could that mean that when the T45's go in to get CAMM fitted from 2026, that they get ExLS launchers instead of the mushroom launchers ? or maybe a combo of 6 x ExLS ( quad packed CAMM giving 24 missiles ). & 8 x mk41 that could give more option...

Didn't they try that with the T22's & T42's ? but we have such a small RN now - would it work now ? maybe we could keep our ships not as long & stop faffing about with expensive LIFEX programs - & stop all this dilly dallying... Well that is what it says in the National Shipbuilding Str...

Didn't they try that with the T22's & T42's ? but we have such a small RN now - would it work now ? maybe we could keep our ships not as long & stop faffing about with expensive LIFEX programs - & stop all this dilly dallying...

Yeh i thought that aswell - if they turn out be 1bn + perhaps they are employing our ( uk ) mod to "help" out

Yes it's good but Since they are polish tier 1 ships they would throw the best weopons & sensor fit they can, but being as the T31 will be the uk "keep the numbers up ships" a cheaper fit version aint to bad - not sure even mk41 are essential as long as they get a minimum of 24 CAMM (4...

Would be an interesting combat test if they got uss ponce out there with its laser.......being america im sure they must have more systems floating around ????

Not sure about how a 4000t ship could replace a T 45 ...would that mean we have ship with a huge son of Sampson radar on it & basic self defence CIWS + a few CAMM, but with less electrical power & conected up to a few multi role T26 with lots of Aster 30 long range missiles & mk41 ?

Wasn't Sampson proposed in a design for the QEC but rejected on cost grounds & i think they were concerned about making them a bigger electronic target aswell ? when the T45's retire & the QEC are the only ships with Sampson, i would be concered if it didnt work when needed.....with 2 AAW es...

the f4k were taking of horizontal - a lot more concentrated heat from a nozzle pointed straight down at the deck - but as with most things, if prepared prperly/ money spent it could be done...

Not convined the T83 will be much bigger than the 45 as that would mean a drop in hull numbers, as the mai mission is to protect the CSG... unless the can get cheaper ships awell to make up the numbers, 4 x T83 cruisers & 2 more T31 with CAMM - MR ? guess only time will tell....

Are we relying on allies again to police the rules based order? What's the problem? The strait is used by dozens of nations. The whole NATO escorts may join. There are literally "dozens of" escorts there. Would Egypt send a FREMM to help out as losing ship traffic throgh the suez canel wo...

Probably cost..... but does sound easier as they were susposedly FFBNW ....

& also crewing the extra hulls require more money aswell...a few T31 lo end ships ( 24camm etc + 2 or 3 hulls with mk41 ) & forward based is good to bulk out the fleet, but would prefer more T26 rather than more tier2 ships, ok might be different if the budget increased

Lets hope that the question comes up before the election weather Labour backs it or not - personaly i think its a no brainer ! especially as it will be our nations main jet to have a greater say in its capabilitys & upgrades etc even if it ends up as an home grown F22 it better than more f35 - i...

Perhaps 809 was chosen because its main purpose was attacking the enemy.....buccaners etc the F35 primary mission although can do a lot more than that ?????

When the river b1 needs replacing could building a couple of extended versions with a telescopic hanger be the ansaw ? embark a wildcat & flight if needed - if not you still have your deck space for containers etc then a couple of b2 rivers can replace the b1 duties while the new build telescopi...

Maybe they think there will be delay to MAWS & are hedging their bets.... i can see a demand for second hand poseidons next decade as all the orions will be totally nakerd ! maybe even the UK could buy some to increase our numbers on the cheap :D would of been better if the line meshed & we ...

after we get our 3 delivered - what are chances of ordering a couple more in early 2030's of the "hot" american production line to make the numbers up to the original 5 wanted ? as presumably they will be a bit cheaper...

The doubts on the ECR version isnt if it is possibile, but at which cost. I really dont see the German Taxpayer accepting to pay more money for the ECR version when the F-35 is cheaper. Producing an ECR version would be absurdly expensive, I think. For such a proposal to be considered, the cost sho...

Gtal has a point of our UK cuts in our forces though hope the GCAP heralds a stronger commitment to our forces & industrial benefit

Didn't they design a shorter mistral aswell ? i can understand why a 3rd smaller flatop could be handy to replace both the albions - just for drones & helos

Yeh the decision to get rid of the FA2 by the RN was a bad decision - but saved money, would be good to some harriers on the deck of a QEC ! 1st time ? along with the italian F35...

Probably stow most of the airframes in the hanger or the stern when operating MQ9b - lots of clearence... got to be atlest 40m width clear flightdeck excluding the islands from a 70m width ????

well the bean counters would love a cheap frigate like that F185 ! wasnt that proposed for the T31? maybe a under 100m version with a telescopic hanger + crane with a bigger workspace that can carry a wildcat if needed...