Some months ago, the Human Security Centre published a report on threats to NATO's Northern Flank, and one of the things it recommended was that:
The UK’s Royal Navy should take the lead in any early effort to counter offensive Russian submarine operations via a multi-national task group centred upon one of the new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.
Remember the embarked Merlin ASW helicopters offer a task group the capability for 24/7 dipping....
Now MOD has announced that we will be making one of the carriers available to NATO.
Sea Control and things like defence of amphibious forces or logistics shipping against submarine, air, and surface threats are very much back on the agenda as much as power projection.
NATO’s ‘Readiness Initiative’ aims to improve the readiness of the alliance’s forces to deploy and move within Europe and across the Atlantic to safeguard international security. The UK will look to make its aircraft carrier a key part of those plans as the country continues to play a leading role in the alliance which has been the cornerstone of its defence for 70 years.
On that note:
Qinetiq will provide a new ASW training capability:
Significantly, the new training service supports the Royal Navy’s forthcoming introduction of Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers and will increase ASW training opportunities while also maximising operational deployment of the submarine fleet. Is it significant that it specifically mentions the carriers?
Last edited by WE Branch Fanatic; 5th Jun 2019 at 21:28.