Your surprise is a surprise, given the number of times you seem to comment on naval matters.
One might just as easily amend to....
Originally Posted by
Asturias56
The latest edition of "British Warships & Auxiliaries" is out and the introduction, as usual, has a long ish op-ed piece by a well known naval writer.
Much of it is already known but I was surprised by the list of concerns the latest one has - they include:-
1. The absence of plans to fit SAM defence to the carriers to RAF stations or for mobile Army units
2. The need for in flight refueling for the F-35's ( a well discussed issue re the USN but first time I've seen it mentioned with regard to the RN) a large proportion of the RAF "heavy" fleet (C17, RC135, P8, E7)
3. Exactly which vessel the Merlin HC4's wil operate from role the A400M fills and what will replace C130J which was unexpectedly extended because the Atlas could not meet the requirement
4. The concentration of vessels in CSG21 - Carier, 2 x T45 (out of 6) , 2 ASW T23's (out of 8), 1 SSN (out of 6 currently in operation) and a supply vessel is perfectly normal for a carrier strike group and significantly more powerful and effective than a singleton DD/FF. By contrast, a USN CVBG would generally have 4 or 5 CG/DDG from a total of 80 ish hulls. For 10 carriers, that's about 50-60% of available hulls. Doesn't actually work like that, but four ships from 19 isn't earth-shattering either.
5. T45 Daring has been in Portsmouth harbour since 2017 as a training ship and will go into refit in early 2021 for at least 12 months - when she comes out she will have been out of front line service for at least 5 years. This is less than the length of time that ZH105, one of only seven E3D operated by the RAF spent as a spares reclamation/GI asset at Waddo. The other T45 remain in service, unlike the 4 of the RAF E3 fleet (several years before service entry of E7) which are withdrawn. The army has similar numbers of its AFV fleet stored inactive.
6. T45's still have no cruise missile capability and Harpoon is almost obsolescent. Can't find endorsed requirement for T45 cruise missile. Just like I can't find endorsed requirement for Typhoon launched extreme range anti--AWACS missile or A400M MOAB. Or Army Tactical nuclear missile system.
7. T26 's are now £ 1.3 Bn each and taking 2 years to build - no new ASW frigates until 2027 at the earliest. Displays a charming ignorance. A T26 takes the best part of six years to build (could be quicker, but that's the EP). A little like F35 being built up in increments limited by EP or no new AEW aircraft until "early 2020s".
8. The RN only holds a stock of 60 Tomahawks for reasons no-one seems to understand. Possibly because there's a limited number of firing platforms? A bit like the RAF only holding a limited number of Storm Shadow. Or the Army only having a limited number of MLRS systems.
9. The latest (4th) Astute SSN has been delayed by over 18 months due to "emergent technical issues" - this delay will push back further SSN's and the SSBN programme. The RN currently has 3 Astutes and 3 Trafalgar's in commission.
Audacious now commissioned, albeit not operational. C19 will have a more significant effect on follow-on boats. A bit like A400M, or god help us FRES/Boxer/whatever its called this week....
So no different to rest of HM armed forces then. You just chose to highlight the RN for some unfathomable reason.