Originally Posted by Jackonicko
I'd agree with you that the Reds, and Scampton are indefensible, and that they should probably go, along with Victory and all that historic Portsmouth stuff, at least one of the naval bases, Dartmouth, the Household division, the King's Troop, RHA.
Good to see a total grasp of Service pride, morale and its force multiplication value, inspirition of recruits and "education" of the Masses. Remind us which outfit you served with?
Regarding getting rid of a Naval Base, you may well get your wish in the next 5 years. Remember, though, that the assumption is that the Navy will continue to shrink to an unknown implosion point. The size of a Fleet is dictated by the means of supporting it, both in and out of Fleet Time. If events in the future, such as resurgent big nasty buggers or World shortages of raw materials, food and water require an increased Naval capability, we are going to find it very hard and expensive to expand or build new Bases. Dockyards and capacity are a whole new matter.
Expeditionary warfare, like it or not, is Government policy. A lot of chaps with big rings round their sleeves and batons on their shoulders, and many experts without them, seem to think Carriers are a key asset for that form of warfare.
For what it's worth, I also have doubts about Government policy and worries about how CVF and JSF are going to skew Naval finances and force balance. We need for the protection of UK assets and interests 30+ DD/FFs, 8+ SSNs, an amphibious capability and a balanced force of MCMVs and OPVs. Maybe that's the plan; take the Navy to implosion point and force us into a federal EU force structure to plug the gaping gaps.