PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - UK Strategic Defence Review 2020 - get your bids in now ladies & gents
Old 16th Mar 2021, 16:07
  #624 (permalink)  
Frostchamber
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 327
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Yes the details (or such details as we're going to get) will be in next week's command paper.

The most specific mentions in today's strategy paper are in a list in Annex A on page 103, eg:
"Develop the next generation of naval vessels, including Type 32 frigates and Fleet Solid Support ships, and deliver our plans for eight Type 26 and five Type 31 frigates. • Progress our Carrier Strike capabilities, with at least 48 F-35s by 2025. • Develop the Future Combat Air System for the RAF, along with delivering upgraded Typhoon radars."
The reference to "at least" 48 F35s by 2025 is a slightly odd formulation if the recent Times rumours are true, although I'm not sure whether they could magic up any more than that anyway in that timeframe. Also answering questions after his statement in the house today, Boris did at one point state that by the end of this decade the RN would have 24 frigates and destroyers (compared to 19 today, or 15 according to Boris - the latter figure is probably not far off if it takes account of vessels effectively laid up). An increase to 24 has been rumoured but this may be the first official reference to that number.
Frostchamber is offline