chevvron, if we still had Cold War size fleets maybe but I can't see one could justify a duplicate capability these days. Frankly, I wouldn't be suprised if a large proportion of the 50 on order are put in long term storage after the Integrated Review.. (Against the original 67 Ds)
My thinking was based on the assumption that JFH and Lightning have removed the likelihood of the repetition of 1(F) personnel's experiences in 1982 and the feeling they had to fight on two fronts. If they had had a previously embeded RN element I suspect their experiences might have been less bad - granted those directly affected may disagree given certain RN officers' personalities. Also they weren't expected to go to sea as part of normal operations.
I just think in a Purple World it must help integration if the individual units are of varying shades of purple.
crab, I certainly wasn't making any criticism of the AACs perfomance off Ocean in 2011 (you will be unsurprised, however, to know I would have preferred Harriers). In Op Ellamy they were the principle weapon system. However, on the new carriers I would expect they will be part of a mixed air component when a carrier is in its Littoral Manoeuvre/Amphibious Assault role. The Royals are used to having Army components in 3 Commando Brigade anyway viz 29 Commando Regt RA and 24 Commando RE; so it would seem to make sense for instance for 4 Regt to be declared to 3 Cmdo Bde at least part-time and work with them regularly. I am talking from ignorance so this may already happen,
Procedures that are well honed during Herrick have in some way needed changing in order to meet the strict safety standards, high tempo and darkness of the flight deck. The Army Air Corps ground crew and Survival Equipment specialists, all experienced operators, have worked closely with their Royal Navy counterparts, developing new procedures sympathetic to the specific needs of Apache.
Ocean Wave, November 2011
Surely it is more efficent to be working closely with a few of their Royal Navy counterparts on a daily basis rather than having to some extent relearn every time they deploy.
falcon900, I agree - duplication of capability is insane for forces the size of the UK's - it does however require optimum interoperability..