The example that come to mind is the French ordering half a dozen POM OPV intended for patrolling the French Overseas Territories. The ships are 1300 t and two ships apiece wlil be based in Reunion, French Polynesia and New Caledonia.Lord Jim wrote: ↑16 May 2022, 19:46 The more I see of how and where our River Class are operating the more I think we should buy a Batch 3 t replace the original Batch 1s. Given their roles in HADR and anti piracy etc., I think these new Rivers should be partially paid for form the Overseas Aid Budget, especially regarding the help they can give to the multitude of Island Nations we already support.
I believe I have read elsewhere that these are being at least part funded by French foriegn office.
Initially I wanted River Batch 3's to replace the B1's, ideally uparmed with either 57mm or 40mm main gun, a couple of smaller secondary guns and an enclosed hangar for Helicopters or UAV.
But even if the B3's were deployed east of Suez to the Indo Pacific and Persian Gulf, with B2's to be redeployed to UK waters to replace the B1's, I have realised that larger, upgunned B3's would be overkill and require too many crew for the additional weapons / systems.
The reason my opinion changed is firstly that role east of Suez would be covered by the T31 Frigates. And secondly that I have realised quite how tight the RN crew availability is. As per previous discussions on the early retirements of Trenchant and Shoreham and the upcoming early retirements of Montrose and Argus. Also thirdly the news that B1's were too large to pick up migrants in the English Channel without using RRB.
Hence my realisation that we need new ships smaller than B1's, especially if the minehunters are also being retired early. So a RN equivalent of French POM, in the 1200 - 1500 t size range.
And agree that if we are using them to patrol the British Overseas Territories, then purchase cost and annual maintenance should at least partly come from Foriegn Office e.g.the Overseas Aid budget.
Have mentioned before in this thread we have six separate Island BOT's in the Carribean, five separate groups of island BOT's in South Atlantic plus also the Pacific. Many of these islands have attached Blue Belt maritime environmental reserves. So as well as patrolling and fishery protection there would also be the need for environmental surveillance and information gathering.
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/20 ... ench-navy/