Impiger
Unless your prospective enemy has a coastline you need overflight rights for a TLAM let alone an aeroplane. Ships need dip clear for passage through certain waters and I recall the Naval commander from Gulf War II saying he couldn't have sustained his force without the berthing rights in the Gulf or the airbridge (which yes needed dip clear). I'm sorry matelots but you've sold your souls for a grand gesture of the most foolhardy kind.
Really?
In any case, a quick Google search reveals that there are 47 landlocked nations in the world, and the majority of course do have coastlines. Here are some fun links:
List of countries by length of coastline
List of landlocked countries
LBL
I think that the RN did lobby hard to retain Harrier. Remember, a previous attempt was made to scupper it by certain senior RAF bods. I actually think the loss of Harrier took Their Lordships by suprise.
....together with the necessary forward thinking of retaining the highly skilled maritime airmen and ground trades until it arrives). Has the RN done this-no. The RN just sees a really big surface vessel that could be used for lots of useful stuff. Hence the RN(highest ranks) don't give a t@ss about harrier.
i think they have not thought this through at all-and even worse have forgotten the people and specialists that will be lost as a result. The RN may then have to turn to the RAF to provide the necessary tradesmen/handlers/pilots?
Thy won't have the right skill set, not being used to working on a moving carrier deck. Both the First Sea Lord and CINCFLEET have commanded a CVS, and I am unwilling to accept that
anyone who has experienced the inique environment of a carrier who think that you can not use that skill set for the best part of a decade and then pick up the baton and carry on. I wonder who suggested that it was? Ignorance wins...
The message sent by 1SL to all personnel last week acknowledged the challenge.
N_a_b
I don't doubt for a moment that the crevice (a filthy word) that the RN finds itself in wrt the FAA is exercising many minds in Fleet HQ and elsewhere.
I expect it is! I think crevice is puting it mildly. Who was it who wrote the review? Did any naval aviation profesionals get consulted?