The other factor is that Ukraine has slowly been able to increase their threat range. First they were targetting the west coast of Crimea, then the main Naval base at Sevastopol, now the post of Feodisaya (spelling??) on the east coast of Crimea. I presume this refects Ukraine starting to reduce the...

My initial thoughts on the T31s were very much to spread them out similar to River B2s to cover: 1) Carribean and western Atlaew\ntic 2) Falklands and South Atlantic 3) Gibralter and Med 4 & 5) Indo Pacific Each of those cover such a huge area that two ships is nt too much IMO. E.g. might have R...

Would feel better if we had a destroyer at high readiness ready to sail to backup Trent if open warfare does break out.

any BMD requirement would also be passed off to allies. That definitely cannot be allowed to happen. I thought the latest announced intention was for Type 45's to get Aster 30 Block 1NT: https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-to-be-the-first-european-force-to-field-maritime-ballistic-missile-defenc...

So there is no similarity between the concept of a simplified dedicated AAW ship and a simple dedicate ASW ship? There is a danger that there could be, but if designed specifically to be part of an integrated carrier strike group then no. It is the perfect role for an enhanced T31. It would also av...

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... Backing this up, look at the work that JMSDF had to to take with their two Izumo class DDH in order to be ...

A point to consider with T26 AAW version is does it have enough propulsion or generation capacity. T26 has 12MW of diesel generators to propel the ship at low speed and power radar and weapons systems. It has one MT30 with 36MW for high speed cruise. This power can only be fed to the props and can'...

Within the current funding envelope the UK Armed Forces are completely hamstrung and at the mercy of events. IMO the lack of mass and starvation of resource will prove to be unsustainable, even in the short to medium term especially if a second major conflict erupts before the current one has concl...

….you have to explain where the extra cash is to come from. I agree with your point but that’s not the point that I am raising. I am suggesting that since the early 1990’s politicians of all administrations have raided defence funding to slosh elsewhere on whatever was most politically advantageous...

….the recent Yemen actions have exposed how light both ships are on VL....decisions from the past now looking rather silly... At present RN could do with 8-10 T45 if not more. The T83 super cruiser procurement of 4 hulls just looks plain daft. Mass must be maintained or increased and the number of ...

The Armchair Soldier wrote: ↑18 Dec 2023, 11:53 HMS Somerset going to sea with NSM:

Finally!! That is great news!!

OK, it does not need to be "NATO". But, many European nations (and US and Canada) use the strait = equivalent to NATO. For example, some of the vessel in danger are of Maersk's, a Danish company. There shall be many other examples. NATO needs to concentrate on the core mission and avoid m...

# CAMM-ER has dual-pulse-motor and adopting CAMM-ER is one idea. But, regardless, I personally think improved range of CAMM is very attractive. At the same time, ASRAMM blk2 "mod" will have the dual-pulse-motor. I favor numerous single type of CAMM, than a mixture of CAMM and CAMM-ER. (no...

Could nt see a thread specifically on RN Deployments to Red Sea / Gulf of Oman.

I saw what I thought was a useful summary of various ships in area:

Some further progress

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-gla ... next-year/

I would add this is likely what we see more off elsewhere. Venezuela has already received Iranian drones and missile craft. With Russian and chinese backed coups along west Africa this could be there next moves there. This is a real fear, Iran is the proxy arms dealer to Russia’s and China’s proxie...

I think this is the exact theater T31 is designed for. Perfect match, If you are talking about how everyone wants it to be equipped and assuming the threat doesn’t increase then yes probably ok as a second best to a T45. As it was designed and in the RFP (potentially just 12 CAMM) I think not - it ...

How good is Mojave for take off or landing when the sea and wind aren't so calm like in this video? I would have hoped that POW has trialled more than one set of take offs & landings as part of the Mojave testing. Start with unloaded drone in calm weather and gradually increase the payload and ...

How good is Mojave for take off or landing when the sea and wind aren't so calm like in this video? I would have hoped that POW has trialled more than one set of take offs & landings as part of the Mojave testing. Start with unloaded drone in calm weather and gradually increase the payload and ...

And another Chair required.....

https://committees.parliament.uk/commit ... committee/

This just makes it all the more important that RN firstly hurry up and fit the already announced upgrades on the T45's, and secondly do what they can to get the first few T26 & T31 into service ASAP. For the T45's the following upgrades have been announced but not yet carried out: 1) Aster Block...

https://x.com/HMSStAlbans/status/173426 ... 07162?s=20

Some more good news for RN frigate numbers.

The U.S. Military Industrial Complex strikes back: https://twitter.com/nicholadrummond/status/1733087811304116578 Is this the same Nicholas Drumond who was ecently advocating "gifting" all of UK Challenger MBT to Ukraine and UK then buying Leopard II to replace them? Whilst being employed...

In the first place to be a deterrent in the region and in this action be part of any multi national naval force For me having duty escorts around the world helps the RN case for having them if any colour of HMG sees escorts hanging around in UK ports waiting to surge anywhere they will be seen as n...

"the fact it feels I am the only one that it seems hasn’t drank the T31 cool aid" I don't think I have done so - at times I have been as critical of T31 as I have been f other ships - mostly related to my dislike of the RN policy of "Fitted For But Not With". I can see the justi...