Originally Posted by jimlad
Posting on my clear understanding of the number of days munitions that can be carried on a CVS, and the RFA and how long this can be sustained for.
Its a simple fact - During sustained and intensive air operations, then beyond X date (X being classified of course) an RFA will no longer have stocks onboard of certain items and will need to put into port to get some more.
This requires access to fuel depots, an airhead to fly the parts in, ground personnel to move stuff from A-B etc. The RN has always set up FLS to support operations - it ran them from Bari during the 90s, it runs them from Bahrain now to support the Arabian Gulf.
The RFA are superb but they are unfortunately reliant on a shore chain until they develop star trek type transporters - although given the fantasy world that most CVF fanatics live in at present, I'm surprised they've not suggested that idea already..
Yup, our 30,000 ton plus Royal fleet Auxillaries will 'very quickly' run out of stores and will need to replenish
but whilst they go off station then we can use any other NATO vessel just like as been done for many, many years. It is not a problem.