donald_of_tokyo wrote:healthy counter-arguments
Respectful and healthy debate is the name of the game. If we all agreed what would we debate
donald_of_tokyo wrote:Even if these T3X series are to be built very slowly, say 1 hull per 2 years, we need at least 15-18 T3X in total. With T31 build pace of 1 per year, we need 30-36 of them!!
Here you have hit the nail on the head. If HMG want a thriving shipbuilding industry in the UK and a second escort builder permanently then there is a choice to be made.
1. Double the size of the escort fleet
OR
2. Sell the GP escorts at the 15 year point.
Its unrealistic to think that the T26's and T45/T83's would be sold in such a time frame but perfectly reasonable to suggest that the T31's and T32's could be sold at the 15 year point.
After the initial T31 surge a T32 followed by a T33 every 18 months would keep the drumbeat ticking over nicely. To avoid a bump initially the T31's would need to be sold annually after around 12 years service. This would be a big change for HMT to agree to but I suspect a thorough cost benefit analysis would validate it.
donald_of_tokyo wrote:I think this list far from plenty
That's depends on how long each vessel is retained for. The FSS are complex vessels and should be retained for 20+ years but the Oilers are low tech and could be moved on within the T31/T32 time frame of around 15 years.
donald_of_tokyo wrote:RB1 replacement might not be there (and actually, I think ordering something in-between T26 and T83 will be needed to save the day).
If that's the case something has gone badly wrong again.
Another compelling argument for a T26 Batch2 to replace the T45's. Concentrate on the spiral development and keep churning them out like sausages.
donald_of_tokyo wrote:Growing CL perfectly matches UK National Security as well as commercial considerations. This is my point.
From a commercial standpoint turning CL into a UK mega-yard making all non escort naval vessels makes complete sense. H&W Belfast and Appledore could be closed and all Escorts could be built on the Clyde in a state of the art Frigate factory. Rosyth could become a super efficient refit facility for everything up to and including QE and PWlS. Great...Job Done.
But how long before HMG slows build rates to keep the two mega yards on tickover? Where is the incentive for these yards to keep costs under control? RN will lose.
How long before HMG says we will just buy 4 or 5 border force cutters from Damen because the yards are too busy and we need them in a hurry?
How long before one or two of the MRSS have to be built by Navantia because of industrial action at Cammell Laird due the Unions thinking they have the government over a barrel as there is no other UK competition?
Basing all of the escort manufacturing on the Clyde hasn't provided value for money for the taxpayer or given RN what is required. Prices have escalated substantially and efficiency has not dramatically improved. I think it is entirely possible that a mega-yard based around CL would end up in the same place given time.