UK Defence Forum

Until anything likely to be potentially useful has already been removed!

Would anyone with a Shephard Media subscription be kind enough to confirm whether this article states Fort Rosalie is "awaiting disposal" or not? I'm hearing conflicting things.

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/nava ... s-reduced/

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... e_2021.pdf

Interesting OSD now 2025 - what’s changed? Obviously the replacements are taking longer, but would seem that one or both will be out back into service. Perhaps with the drop of the 5t transfer requirement, it brings them back into play?

With the ability to operate 4 helicopters, perhaps a nice hybrid role with a LRG

Repulse wrote:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... e_2021.pdf

Interesting OSD now 2025 - what’s changed? Obviously the replacements are taking longer, but would seem that one or both will be out back into service. Perhaps with the drop of the 5t transfer requirement, it brings them back into play?

With the ability to operate 4 helicopters, perhaps a nice hybrid role with a LRG

I think they are on very extended readiness. If the balloon went up and we needed to get a lot ammunition somewhere they would be reactivated.

tomuk wrote:I think they are on very extended readiness. If the balloon went up and we needed to get a lot ammunition somewhere they would be reactivated.

That only works if all the systems on-board are maintained and, more importantly, you have people trained on them and, even more importantly, they're available to crew them.

The Armchair Soldier wrote:Would anyone with a Shephard Media subscription be kind enough to confirm whether this article states Fort Rosalie is "awaiting disposal" or not? I'm hearing conflicting things.

That article was written in June 2020 so is over a year old

Repulse wrote:With the ability to operate 4 helicopters, perhaps a nice hybrid role with a LRG

Been thinking the same, depending on their material condition. Lots of empty space both inside and on deck, plus the capability to independently sustain operations.

Any idea if they can take four Merlin, or were they sized for Sea King (2+2)?

With these and the other divestments, I imagine the Brazilian Navy will be getting their cheque book out come 2023....

Jensy wrote:

Repulse wrote:With the ability to operate 4 helicopters, perhaps a nice hybrid role with a LRG

Been thinking the same, depending on their material condition. Lots of empty space both inside and on deck, plus the capability to independently sustain operations.

Any idea if they can take four Merlin, or were they sized for Sea King (2+2)?

With these and the other divestments, I imagine the Brazilian Navy will be getting their cheque book out come 2023....

A 50 year old ship built during the 1970s industrial turbulence leading to nationalisation held together with few hundred tonnes paint splashed on by Cammell Laird over the years. I'm not so sure.

Birkenhead are building up an impressive fleet. Two T45s, Two Fort Class replenishment ships and a Wave class tanker over in Seaforth Dock.

And the replacements are still at the talking stage….

Embarrassing and another total procurement failure.

Poiuytrewq, very sad and embarrassing. Short term decisions impacting again - should have kept RFA Fort George.

Repulse wrote:…should have kept RFA Fort George.

The highest value target in the entire fleet is now RFA Fort Victoria.

Clearly this is a massive strategic liability so hopefully contingency planning with the USN is well advanced.

Better give her an escort group befitting her status then; 2 x T45, 2 xT23 and an SSN ! Ooops, someone forgot to factor in that she might need her own escort(s) when travelling “alone”. “Lack of Replenishment Ships AND Escorts”.

Egypt could have two good naval groups one each said if Suez

1 x LHD
1 x FREMM
2 x Meko 200's
1 x Knox's class
1 x Fort class
2 x SSK

Coincidentally a pair of these could hit the Gold Standard, “FORT KNOX”.

Poiuytrewq wrote:And the replacements are still at the talking stage….

This is also one of the reason I am not a fan of T32. Rosyth could and should focus on FSSS build. No time to waste on T32. Rosyth is the best capable yard to do it, with some blocks supplied from Cammel Laird, and BAES yards.

H&W? They have almost nothing other than the dock and "newly installed" steel work. They must restart with building something like a ferry, to regain their skill. Now, where is the skilled worker? Rosyth, CL, and BAES Clyde and BAES Barrow. Use them.

Poiuytrewq wrote:And the replacements are still at the talking stage….

Embarrassing and another total procurement failure.

Fully agreed. Another cut in disguise. Disgrace.

But, for what can Egyptians use them? I really don't see the need for them.

How can it be a cut when they're not in use by the UK?

Sounds very sensible to me to get some cash for these museum pieces. As long as the Treasury lets the Navy keep it. Which they usually don't

Ron5 wrote:How can it be a cut when they're not in use by the UK?

Sounds very sensible to me to get some cash for these museum pieces. As long as the Treasury lets the Navy keep it. Which they usually don't

How much cash and how much will UK plc/ship yards benefit from the refurb and possibly future maintenance work?