Search found 771 matches

by topman
16 Nov 2023, 19:11
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
Replies: 1842
Views: 183976
Tokelau

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

Equipment used usefully is the best way, little point in clocking up wear and tear but at no useful training value. Of course there's a balance between all or nothing training.
by topman
16 Nov 2023, 19:07
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Boeing E-7 Wedgetail (RAF)
Replies: 595
Views: 182092
Tokelau

Re: Boeing E-7 Wedgetail (RAF)

I wasn't blaming the Americans, just that keeping up with them isn't cheap. Understood, but first tier equipment is absolutely what the RAF should have.... A core aircraft fleet of Poseidon, E7 and Rivet Joint is expensive, but they are at the core of the RAF and each fleet should be available in t...
by topman
16 Nov 2023, 16:37
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Boeing E-7 Wedgetail (RAF)
Replies: 595
Views: 182092
Tokelau

Re: Boeing E-7 Wedgetail (RAF)

I wasn't blaming the Americans, just that keeping up with them isn't cheap.
by topman
16 Nov 2023, 10:56
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Boeing E-7 Wedgetail (RAF)
Replies: 595
Views: 182092
Tokelau

Re: Boeing E-7 Wedgetail (RAF)

Where will NATO and the US by sourcing their bbj's? American jets and I assume the nato ones will come from there too will come from new builds that the US military are asking Boeing to make for them. It will take about 4 years to build these new airframes hence why the ISD are a number of years aw...
by topman
10 Nov 2023, 21:07
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: New Medium Helicopter [NMH] - (RAF & AAC)
Replies: 479
Views: 49357
Tokelau

Re: New Medium Helicopter [NMH] - (RAF & AAC)

Brunei and cyprus have, for years, had different fleets to the ones in the uk. Not that much unusual in this decision which has nothing to do with chinooks. The central argument of NMH was moving away from small and diverse fleets. Whatever logic might be served by having small fleets of a widely u...
by topman
10 Nov 2023, 15:12
Forum: Joint Service
Topic: New Medium Helicopter [NMH] - (RAF & AAC)
Replies: 479
Views: 49357
Tokelau

Re: New Medium Helicopter [NMH] - (RAF & AAC)

Brunei and cyprus have, for years, had different fleets to the ones in the uk. Not that much unusual in this decision which has nothing to do with chinooks.
by topman
06 Nov 2023, 16:33
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
Replies: 1842
Views: 183976
Tokelau

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

Its something that's been on my mind for a while, we have all called for more equipment/funding for the armed forces but are we saying (for example) if due to world events we were order another 8 type 26's we wouldn't have the manpower to use them? Same for most increases in equipment, at the momen...
by topman
06 Nov 2023, 16:32
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
Replies: 1842
Views: 183976
Tokelau

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

When a unit (of whatever service) deploys it needs a wide group of trades/ranks to make it work. When you have shortages in quite a few areas but not all then that's when you have some groups left kicking their heels whilst others remain short. In the case you've described, the navy may not have ev...
by topman
05 Nov 2023, 11:10
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
Replies: 1842
Views: 183976
Tokelau

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

When a unit (of whatever service) deploys it needs a wide group of trades/ranks to make it work. When you have shortages in quite a few areas but not all then that's when you have some groups left kicking their heels whilst others remain short. In the case you've described, the navy may not have eve...
by topman
05 Nov 2023, 09:09
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
Replies: 1842
Views: 183976
Tokelau

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-failing-to-get-enough-recruits-into-basic-training/ It states the navy shrank by 1640 people from 2022 to 2023. 'There is no equipment programme, no deployment or effect that can be delivered by the navy without trained and experienced people' You could read ac...
by topman
29 Oct 2023, 12:24
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
Replies: 1842
Views: 183976
Tokelau

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistic ... -july-2023

Down 8k people from july 22 to july 23.
Recruits down 17%.
People leaving up 6%

This continues for another 2 years (like it has) we're in severe difficulty.
by topman
14 Oct 2023, 16:06
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
Replies: 1842
Views: 183976
Tokelau

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

I don't understand, what has this got to do with an election?
by topman
24 Sep 2023, 16:41
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)
Replies: 4067
Views: 950374
Tokelau

Re: Future UK Combat Aircraft (Project Tempest)

I think it's just wishful thinking rather than anything realistic. It does come up a lot though.

The money would be far better spent on the ones we've got and the people who we need to for the aircraft to operate.
by topman
23 Sep 2023, 14:01
Forum: Conflicts
Topic: The war in Ukraine
Replies: 1163
Views: 85558
Tokelau

Re: The war in Ukraine

Jdam wrote: 23 Sep 2023, 10:04 Not just the subs.



Storm Shadow is just destroying them.

How we don't have a dozen countries lining up to buy these things is just beyond me. :wtf:
Is there any for sale?
by topman
20 Sep 2023, 19:15
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
Replies: 1842
Views: 183976
Tokelau

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

Its nothing much to do with hot water but more to do with options for allowances for housing.
by topman
16 Sep 2023, 11:38
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
Replies: 1842
Views: 183976
Tokelau

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

by topman
10 Sep 2023, 15:14
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Puma Helicopter (RAF)
Replies: 380
Views: 89530
Tokelau

Re: Puma Helicopter (RAF)

Who would pay 300m for these 8 airframes?
by topman
09 Sep 2023, 18:03
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15444
Views: 4408939
Tokelau

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

I wonder what the payload is at 500 m range? I've not read up on this but assume it's a loan for a trial. I assume it's likely for things like one small but important spare part that's at a civilian airport and then flown back to the boat. I'd say there's as many regulatory issues as technical but ...
by topman
09 Sep 2023, 08:18
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15444
Views: 4408939
Tokelau

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

I wonder what the payload is at 500 m range? I've not read up on this but assume it's a loan for a trial. I assume it's likely for things like one small but important spare part that's at a civilian airport and then flown back to the boat. I'd say there's as many regulatory issues as technical but e...
by topman
03 Sep 2023, 10:54
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
Replies: 1842
Views: 183976
Tokelau

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

I'd agree there, i can't see any large increase in funding so we need to cut our cloth accordingly.
by topman
03 Sep 2023, 09:45
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
Replies: 1842
Views: 183976
Tokelau

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

My point at the beginning was alot of the numbers are just plucked out of thin with seemingly no thought as to why. Really? Which numbers are those? As an example most numbers to do with the F35, there's alot of speculation about how many, how they should be organised, how sqns work, how many sorti...
by topman
03 Sep 2023, 09:33
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
Replies: 1842
Views: 183976
Tokelau

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

Back in 2018, evidence submitted to the Defence Select Committee argues that seven additional P-8 Poseidon aircraft should be acquired, bringing the total fleet to 16 aircraft. https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-may-need-more-p-8s-to-expand-security-ambitions/#:~:text=Back%20in%202018%2C%20evidence...
by topman
02 Sep 2023, 22:03
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
Replies: 1842
Views: 183976
Tokelau

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

Things improve by scaling back commitments and focusing on specific priorities that’s means scaling back in some areas. Sounds good but what you proposing to cut? The UK needs 12 SSNs, without additional funding where is the money for extra 5 SSNs coming from? The UK needs 24 escorts, where is the ...
by topman
02 Sep 2023, 14:08
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
Replies: 1842
Views: 183976
Tokelau

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

I put it in quotes as it's my words short handed to reflect that there's a lack of 'why' when building up fantasy fleets. I don't think it's helped by looking at raw numbers of equipment with all that goes with it. I get a lot of the important issues surrounding equipment purchases are either too du...