Sad News Indeed
Despite being a crab, I have great regard and affection for the RN and am disappointed with this news. I find it difficult to believe that BRNC = 2 carriers or anywhere near it in cost terms, even if Dartmouth needed a major revamp (which it might).
The advantage of places like Dartmouth, Sandhurst and Cranwell is their ambience. They are not simply used for training young officers but also as a showcase for the services to entertain others etc. Nobody could say that places like Manadon (HMS Thunderer), Mons OCS/Eaton Hall or RAF OCTU/ITS at places various, had any real character about them. The three services colleges certainly do.
Where will the RN go now? Those two old hulks moored in the Dart went about 100 years ago!
Perhaps we shall see a 'single gate' armed forces academy before much longer!
O-D