JSF - if we lose it to save £9bn, we'll be using Typhoon...

[hulahoop7]

"Valid point but how flexible can a carrier be ?

Assuming new carriers were both at home or in close to home then how quickly could they deploy to Gulf in the event of a crises where passage via The Suez was blocked. 6 weeks or less ?"

Suez blocked which hints at local opposition? I guess we won't be getting access to airbases either then?

OK you get access - but now you need to set up shop. Fuel, spares, people, supply lines – they all need defending. As well as pay off the locals.


A decent CVBG has all this in the box.

A CVBG also works when it's not 'fighting'. On one 6 month deployment a CVBG can demonstrate the UK's foreign policy resolve off the coast of a dozen friends or enemies. Three examples off the top of my head...

1. Civil war - UK citizens trapped – A CVF with a dozen JSF, ASAC, 5-6 Chinooks full of 1 Para and a few Apaches might be useful??? Nobody need know that they are there until the woka woka woka overhead. No need to telephone the news by setting up shop at the local airport.

2. Insurgents having a dig at your favourite warlord off the horn of Africa? Help out.. bomb the cr*p out of the insurgent bases, and then move along without having to be drawn into the nasty business or basing, mortars and Chinese rockets.

3. Oil price gradually rises over the next 20 years. Falklands exploration becomes viable. South American grouping starts threatening attacks. Send a carrier and remind them that if even one platform is touched they can say goodbye to their top 20 generating powerstations.

The fact is big decent CVs demonstrate their utility as soon as you have one. The UK hasn't had one for over 30 years. Do you not wonder why the US finds them so useful?