If HMG/MoD/RN want or need more escorts then HMG will have to fund the crews to operate them.Repulse wrote: ↑06 Nov 2022, 08:12Whilst I agree that manpower and stockpiles need to be a focus, it cannot be at the expense of brining on the T32.donald_of_tokyo wrote: ↑06 Nov 2022, 02:48 As the crew of Montrose will fill the T23 coming back fromLIFEX, your argument also states number of active escorts will not decrease. As such I think RN priority is more on man power, especially the retention rate.
Buying ammo comes the next.
T32 discussion must be terminated, I think. Priority is far far below.
Why? Because it is designed to play a needed and unique role in MCM and amphibious operations, plus could alleviate manpower issues with a lower crew requirement. If you want to focus funds and manpower kill the “make up numbers” T31, but not the T32.
I don’t think anyone is suggesting that another 5 Frigates are going to be commissioned without identifying beforehand what the crews are coming from.