UK Defence Forum

RichardIC wrote: ↑11 Mar 2022, 10:31 There was a real hope that war breaking out in Europe would kick this absolute waste of cash and monument to bad taste into the long grass.

Please, no-one. You can't support this and complain about the RN not having enough warships. The two views are not compatible.

One thing party gate has proven to Boris is he needs a party boat so he and his miss can have there parties out at sea. You don't understand Boris needs this he really really needs this now he can't use Russian party boats

Tempest414 wrote: ↑11 Mar 2022, 10:59

RichardIC wrote: ↑11 Mar 2022, 10:31 There was a real hope that war breaking out in Europe would kick this absolute waste of cash and monument to bad taste into the long grass.

Please, no-one. You can't support this and complain about the RN not having enough warships. The two views are not compatible.

One thing party gate has proven to Boris is he needs a party boat so he and his miss can have there parties out at sea. You don't understand Boris needs this he really really needs this now he can't use Russian party boats

Plenty of luxury yachts up for sale at present……

SW1 wrote: ↑11 Mar 2022, 11:03

Tempest414 wrote: ↑11 Mar 2022, 10:59

RichardIC wrote: ↑11 Mar 2022, 10:31 There was a real hope that war breaking out in Europe would kick this absolute waste of cash and monument to bad taste into the long grass.

Please, no-one. You can't support this and complain about the RN not having enough warships. The two views are not compatible.

One thing party gate has proven to Boris is he needs a party boat so he and his miss can have there parties out at sea. You don't understand Boris needs this he really really needs this now he can't use Russian party boats

Plenty of luxury yachts up for sale at present……

Yes but Boris can't give a 250 million contact on a yacht that will cost 200 million and get a 10 million back hander for him and few mates

RichardIC wrote: ↑11 Mar 2022, 10:31 There was a real hope that war breaking out in Europe would kick this absolute waste of cash and monument to bad taste into the long grass.

Please, no-one. You can't support this and complain about the RN not having enough warships. The two views are not compatible.

I may not often agree with you but unless this Royal Yacht is not built to escort specifications, with Mk41VLS and canister launched ASM, then it is a pointless luxury in these increasingly dangerous times.

Minister, You’re Fired ?

Given the Britannia was a hospital ship, could this be used in part to replace Argus as JCRS along with enhanced medical facilities on the Bays?

Was Britannia every used as a hospital ship?

SW1 wrote: ↑12 Mar 2022, 11:25 Was Britannia every used as a hospital ship?

A great deal of effort went into designing it for that role (200 bed capacity, operating theatres, dental facilities, massive laundry facilities for cleaning hospital volumes of laundry, high speed etc. etc.), but it was never used in that capacity. It did get used for a major evacuation of civilians from Aden, but I think its main wartime role was as a floating shelter for the Royals.

The "wrong fuel" issue was probably an excuse to keep a very high profile target out of the way (even if she was classed as a hospital ship, there was a fair chance that the Argentines would regard her as a legitimate target), as I have seen it claimed that both Uganda and Canberra used the same fuel and Canberra was RAS'ed multiple times, from various RFAs

Given that there is very unlikely to be any new cash for Defence (following the Chancellor’s comments on the BBC this morning), I have a proposal.

Let’s make HMS Bulwark the current National Flagship, perhaps spending £100 on an additional flagpole, keeping both LPDs active.

Repulse wrote: ↑20 Mar 2022, 09:51 Given that there is very unlikely to be any new cash for Defence (following the Chancellor’s comments on the BBC this morning), I have a proposal.

Let’s make HMS Bulwark the current National Flagship, perhaps spending £100 on an additional flagpole, keeping both LPDs active.

Well the crew of the Royal Navy flagship will have fits.

Caribbean wrote: ↑12 Mar 2022, 11:45

SW1 wrote: ↑12 Mar 2022, 11:25 Was Britannia every used as a hospital ship?

The "wrong fuel" issue was probably an excuse to keep a very high profile target out of the way (even if she was classed as a hospital ship, there was a fair chance that the Argentines would regard her as a legitimate target), as I have seen it claimed that both Uganda and Canberra used the same fuel and Canberra was RAS'ed multiple times, from various RFAs

Hermes, Fearless, Intrepid, QE 2, Canberra, and Uganda were all steam turbines and used the same fuel.

Repulse wrote: ↑20 Mar 2022, 09:51 Given that there is very unlikely to be any new cash for Defence (following the Chancellor’s comments on the BBC this morning), I have a proposal.

Let’s make HMS Bulwark the current National Flagship, perhaps spending £100 on an additional flagpole, keeping both LPDs active.

There will be some new money for defence, whether the Chancellor likes it or not. The question is how much and by what mechanism

Making the reduction in Foreign Aid permanent and allocating that funding to the MoD would be a good start. I believe in helping others but having a minimum spend never seemed the right way of going about it except as a PR stunt. We have always been a pretty generous country when it has been needed.

As for a National Flagship, aren't there going to be a number of very larger Super Yachts coming up for auction soon?

They impound the yachts only. This flagship has no national or military sense.

Love how this takes precedent over FSS, upgrade Bay etc

Boys toys for Boris. A complete waste of money.

VVIP conversions of MRTT, A321 VVIP and a yacht. A bit tone deaf this lot.

I like the justification that inviting people onto a yacht is better than an embassy. That's great. Except aren't most Embassy located near the seat of power? So it's rather a convenient spot...

DJ56 wrote: ↑01 Jun 2022, 16:42 Boys toys for Boris. A complete waste of money.

Party boat for number 10 and his pals.

If they really want a “National Flagship” then I can think of one that I would support …………. A third QEC. How about HMS Churchill (R10).

The Hangar Deck would be more than adequate for any size Party (err I meant to say Diplomatic or Trade Reception). Dual use would justify spend under the Defence Budget and RN crewing.

Scimitar54 wrote: ↑01 Jun 2022, 23:35 A third QEC. How about HMS Churchill (R10)

Perhaps a tad ambitious but for the £250m budgeted the UK could build something very much resembling HMS Ocean.

Now that really would be dual use.

Poiuytrewq wrote: ↑02 Jun 2022, 19:12

Scimitar54 wrote: ↑01 Jun 2022, 23:35 A third QEC. How about HMS Churchill (R10)

Perhaps a tad ambitious but for the £250m budgeted the UK could build something very much resembling HMS Ocean.

Now that really would be dual use.

You don't get it.

Dual use isn't an option. It's why the MRTT got repainted. Grey, dual-use isn't flashy enough for BoJo.

I am certain that a QEC with the “Number 10” would be! Also, there are not many “yachts” that will have cost £3.25B!

Scimitar54 wrote: ↑02 Jun 2022, 19:39 I am certain that a QEC with the “Number 10” would be! Also, there are not many “yachts” that will have cost £3.25B!

But it's not a yacht. It's a filthy flat top that stinks of ATF and covered in hydraulic leaks.

The last aircraft carrier to carry the R10 pennant number was the Implacable-class HMS Indefatigable (1943-1954)