But surely you're not suggesting that we don't need anti submarine capababilities?
When Merlin HM1 was ordered (1993?) , we had a larger Fleet, all T23s were meant to get Merlin, as well as CVS and RFAs. The Culdrose based units do deploy surely, or do maritime
operations not count?
Anyway, what about the potential threat from Iranian submarines, not just the three Kilos, but the small coastal ones they built themselves? If they want to cause damage and disruption to the West, a tanker sunk here, a few rising bottom mines sown there......
Or North Korea? There was a thread on North Korea not so long ago -
here it is. Another dodgy regime with submarines, quite a few in their case.
What if Argentina decided to blockade the Falklands with submarines?
I understand the frustrations of those who operate green types, but do we want more capability gaps? Our new amphibious ships would be tempting targets for an enemy submarine......