I'm OK with most of this. However, I still think that the Albion replacements will be a pair of LHDs (circa 35k Tonnes) with maximum automation to reduce the manning requirements as far as is sensible.

Or hopefully to buy some MV22 Osprey to perform the ASAC role, making more Merlins available for ASW.

What will they be calling it, Chernobyl?

An ever present danger that strategically illiterate politicians will allow (or want) this to happen. So I am afraid could not bring myself to "like" the previous post.

No. 5 Drydock would appear to be large enough for a QEC Aircraft Carrier.

And the Fly Boys can't even tell where you are. Good job you are not a "Man Overboard" because if they are looking for you 500 miles away, they would never find you!

More streamlined?

All power to their elbow. Who knows, they may eventually regain the competence to build SSKs as well. Sorry, possibly a bit of a crossover for this topic!

Only one of the many examples of political incompetence demonstrated by that government. I'm only surprised that they did not rename one of the great offices of state as the Secretary of State for ***********ness.

So what are the E3 Hawkeyes then? Never say Never!

Those living there will then complain about the noise from Lakenheath.

Well (for a ship) it would be better than calling it a T-bird or a Mustang.

Simplistic perhaps, but how about using a Bay class as the basis with the minimum alterations required (acquiring 2 x additional "Bays" of course).

Any MP who votes to frustrate the "will of the people" as expressed in the 2016 referendum will indeed be a fool!

Better still would be to link it to the pay rises for MP's ...... Whatever pay rise they get, Defence gets 5 x their rate of increase.

Also the growth of the Defence "black hole".

It is what I have always believed should be the case. The 0.7% GDP was simply a feel-good, tick in the box solution to salve the conscience of people who should never have been allowed to be anywhere near government.

Depends whether they are at Action Stations, Emergency Stations, Off-watch or elsewhere.

So the only nations operating or acquiring LHDs are the odd ones out are they? United States Australia France Italy Perhaps you would rather do away with the F35B, then there would be no possibility of the suggested Albion class replacements operating fixed wing aircraft at all (unless the US, via t...

The decision to slow the drumbeat was taken by people who know only the price of things, but not their value!

Much better would be additional SSNs, with just the possibility that one or more of them MIGHT be in the vicinity. For this to be really credible however, would require the SSN fleet to be increased by at least 3+. The advantage would be that in fact they could well be SOMEWHERE ELSE ALTOGETHER. :mr...

Any politician who even half-heartedly thinks about the possibility of overseeing such a reduction in our Naval force
levels (No Frigates indeed) should resign now, because clearly they would be unworthy of the position that they occupy. Save this drivel for April 01 please.

Exactly, which is why it is vitally important that both manpower and equipment budgets are substantially increased, because at present we are seriously lacking in both of them.

27 Aircraft on board (1 from each EU member state, I suppose)? Can you imagine the menu in the JRs Dining Hall ? Perhaps it will even be a U-Carrier ? Which language will be used for communication ? What does it matter, they will probably be U-AVs ? And all this from the leader of a country that no ...

It is those who are adjudicating the various tenders from the interested companies and then "awarding" the contracts that cannot take a wider view of the actual benefits or otherwise of each bid. Looking at the bottom line only is very easy, but the "easy" decision is almost alwa...