Search found 2762 matches

by dmereifield
26 Jan 2019, 14:31
Forum: Royal Air Force
Topic: Boeing P-8A Poseidon (MRA Mk.1) (RAF)
Replies: 1271
Views: 456320
United Kingdom

Re: Boeing Poseidon MRA Mk.1 (Maritime Reconnaissance Attack) (RAF)

At today's exchange rates that's just shy of £100 million each...quite cheap no? I thought they were costing more than double that
by dmereifield
25 Jan 2019, 17:43
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19147
Views: 7056787
United Kingdom

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

This will leave 400M GBP. As to compensate T31e program cancel, I think this 400M GBP shall be used in "other UK ship yards" to build 3 "Floreal-like" large OPVs, i.e. a 3000t ship with a helo hangar, a CIWS, and maybe a 5 ing gun. (Call it T32.) Or, any other ships. Isn't the T...
by dmereifield
25 Jan 2019, 17:31
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal
Replies: 4600
Views: 117508
United Kingdom

Re: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal

we won't have to go down the route I hope so; Switzerland did, with time on their hands and 'clock work' as an assumption... had to make 160 of them to keep all activities "on the road". Agree, but if the choice is that or being forced into staying in the SM and CU with no way out, I'd pr...
by dmereifield
25 Jan 2019, 14:21
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal
Replies: 4600
Views: 117508
United Kingdom

Re: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal

the types of mini deals you told me weren't possible? Being able to move people and goods and utilising the return trips fully, too ( even if it means allowing cabotage) cuts both ways - and stops the EU environmental policies from becoming a laughing stock. - the third deal mentioned (for consider...
by dmereifield
25 Jan 2019, 13:01
Forum: UK Defence & Aerospace Industry
Topic: BAE Systems plc
Replies: 191
Views: 15571
United Kingdom

Re: BAE Systems plc

Well, we'll have no say in making these policies... pretty soon. Nor in the selection of the Commission president... which process (with the Spitzenkandidat system) has, so far, been even more rigged than markets. - even the previous round did not quite go as some in the UK may have wished We have ...
by dmereifield
25 Jan 2019, 10:06
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal
Replies: 4600
Views: 117508
United Kingdom

Re: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal

First two mini-deals emerging (and looks like the Commission tries to avoid pre-guessing for what duration the Cooper-Boles amendment will ;) be passed): "The European Commission has proposed "bare bones" arrangements on aviation and road haulage if there is no deal. The legislation ...
by dmereifield
15 Jan 2019, 14:34
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal
Replies: 4600
Views: 117508
United Kingdom

Re: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal

The Russel group (24 institutions) data don't look great, but it's not clear if this extends across the board (ca. 200 UK institutions) As you know they represent the driving ambition (on the part of the qualified applicants) and there are many institutions that have a "bums on seats" -po...
by dmereifield
15 Jan 2019, 00:30
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: RFA Argus (Casualty Receiving Ship / Aviation Training Ship) (RFA)
Replies: 386
Views: 177705
United Kingdom

Re: RFA Argus (Casualty Receiving Ship / Aviation Training Ship) (RFA)

A Servo contract may save money now, but can you call up Serco for additional support, if necessary in times of conflict, like we can with RFA Argus? Is it a worthwhile trade off? What is RFA Argus' running cost compared the outsourcing contract costs for France and Australia?
by dmereifield
15 Jan 2019, 00:24
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal
Replies: 4600
Views: 117508
United Kingdom

Re: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal

some examples of actual tangible negative impacts please. EU student numbers have continued to increase since the referendum, they will continue to do so - are you sure, cfr: "The Russell Group of leading research universities says there has already been a downturn in EU students wanting to st...
by dmereifield
15 Jan 2019, 00:07
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal
Replies: 4600
Views: 117508
United Kingdom

Re: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal

abc123 wrote:So, what do you think? Will the deal pass?
Not tomorrow that's for sure!
by dmereifield
15 Jan 2019, 00:04
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19147
Views: 7056787
United Kingdom

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Sorry this is wondering a bit off topic, but it relates to the suggestions of forward basing RFA's instead of escorts (T23s or err, T31s) - aside from HADR, why would allies in the area find a tanker a more useful than an escort. Surely if tankers are cheaper to build, maintain and man than escorts ...
by dmereifield
11 Jan 2019, 23:38
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal
Replies: 4600
Views: 117508
United Kingdom

Re: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal

permanent membership of a customs union Can we do that and still have independent trade agreements with other countries? I thought that was a no-no. that's the impression I'm under as the UK will have to abide by all the rules but have no say, and that includes trade to third countries. Shaping up ...
by dmereifield
04 Jan 2019, 12:16
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal
Replies: 4600
Views: 117508
United Kingdom

Re: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal

May have been driven by Brexit, may not have been. Similar ventures have been agreed pre-referendum and with non-EU partners. Regarding the so-called academic setbacks for universities, give me a some examples of actual tangible negative impacts please. EU student numbers have continued to increase ...
by dmereifield
04 Jan 2019, 10:05
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal
Replies: 4600
Views: 117508
United Kingdom

Re: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal

Remember what happened in the dying days of the Battle for France? "On June 14, German troops entered Paris. During the next 48 hours, British and French civil servants drafted a proposal for a “Declaration on Franco-British Union.” This was no beefed-up wartime alliance, or a plan for partial...
by dmereifield
02 Jan 2019, 18:36
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: Spain
Replies: 104
Views: 7684
United Kingdom

Re: Spain

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... nados.html

Spain to consider replacing their F18's with Eurofighter, apparently
by dmereifield
31 Dec 2018, 09:21
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: River Class (OPV) (RN)
Replies: 5411
Views: 1420350
United Kingdom

Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

fisheries access will be a condition Newspapers say so; on which page in the draft WA does it say so ? Where in the WA does it say that the sun will rise in the morning? Every single member state has a veto on the new FTA to be agreed to exit the backstop, it will come at a heavy price. Fisheries a...
by dmereifield
30 Dec 2018, 23:57
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: River Class (OPV) (RN)
Replies: 5411
Views: 1420350
United Kingdom

Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

It won't change if the WA goes through, fisheries access will be a condition of leaving the backstop and obtaining an FTA. The French have already made that clear, and the Dutch and Spanish will back them on that
by dmereifield
30 Dec 2018, 21:02
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: Geopolitics and the global economy
Replies: 188
Views: 16079
United Kingdom

Re: Geopolitics and the global economy

n the mean time we leave off a cliff Much as I thought that we would have more influence on the future shape of things and would minimise economic damage by staying in, I'm beginning to feel that a "no deal" exit into WTO rules isn't quite the "cliff face" that has been portraye...
by dmereifield
30 Dec 2018, 08:54
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19147
Views: 7056787
United Kingdom

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

is it likely that the Far East establishment would likely tie in with the previous indication of forward basing a GP T23?
And, if we are keeping the River B1s perhaps a B2 might now be based in the Caribbean?
by dmereifield
22 Dec 2018, 12:07
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15444
Views: 4409438
United Kingdom

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

S M H wrote:
swoop wrote:Someone needs a bollocking over the scratch in that tabletop!
The table has history tha scratches testify to it. it would be nice if the table has been on a ship before.
Exactly, I was also wondering about its history.....
by dmereifield
21 Dec 2018, 08:58
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion
Replies: 19147
Views: 7056787
United Kingdom

Re: Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

Tempest414 wrote:Maybe one in Singapore for the Asian-Pacific as we have had ships in the region for the past 18 months and are set to keep one there for some time
Not the best demonstration of support to allies in the region if the T31 turns out to be as ill equipped as currently envisaged
by dmereifield
20 Dec 2018, 15:02
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal
Replies: 4600
Views: 117508
United Kingdom

Re: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal

no deal doesn't require anything, it happens by default true, whereas this one is not a unilateral option (as claimed) 2) no deal (With unicorn styled side agreements etc) because even for mini-deals you need agreement of the other party/-ies I was already giving financial services as an example; h...
by dmereifield
20 Dec 2018, 12:58
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal
Replies: 4600
Views: 117508
United Kingdom

Re: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal

ArmChairCivvy wrote:
ArmChairCivvy wrote:but only just
Andrea Leadsom and Amber Rudd suggest rival Brexit 'Plan Bs'

31 minutes ago[by the BBC]
But whatever they are will need thesupport if the PM, the cabinet and Parliament. As it stands, so called no deal doesn't require anything, it happens by default
by dmereifield
20 Dec 2018, 09:27
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal
Replies: 4600
Views: 117508
United Kingdom

Re: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal

or 3) no brexit (A50 withdrawl) 3A as per above 3B extension to the A50 - this is not limited (exc. that the other party/-ies will have to agree to it) - unlike extending the transition period, about which it has been stipulated that only one extension (but the length to be agreed) will apply Howev...
by dmereifield
20 Dec 2018, 08:15
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal
Replies: 4600
Views: 117508
United Kingdom

Re: Brexit - The UK's EU Referendum & Withdrawal

in many cases such agreements/actions are beneficial to more than party since they facilitate continued flow There is no doubt about that. Hard exit the " worst case"... the unicorn one the next least worst (all the other things that have 'seriously' :) been proposed are better, though) -...