Defence IQ thinks that NATO faces
stalemate in Libya. This increases the chance of the issue of
Charles De Gaulle's relief becoming critical, if NATO still needs a quick reaction response to events in and around the Misrata area.
A carrier nearby will be very useful.
Ministers have now admitted that the Fleet is stretched:
Minister admits war in Libya has stretched the navy’s reduced fleet
THE Royal Navy’s depleted fleet has become stretched because of the war in Libya, a government defence minister has admitted.
Armed Forces minister Nick Harvey acknowledged the navy is under strain as it tries to do more with less following last year’s cuts.
His comments come two weeks after First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope was slapped down by the government for warning ‘challenging decisions’ would need to be made about priorities if the Libyan effort continues beyond September.
Responding to a question in the House of Commons from former Labour defence minister Kevan Jones on the impact Libya is having on the Royal Navy, Mr Harvey said: ‘There is no denying that the pace and longevity of operations in Libya put a stress on the fleet. However, the Libyan operation is a high priority, and we will ensure that it has the necessary resources.’
The government has repeatedly said Britain will stay in Libya for ‘as long as it takes’. But there are fears the conflict will leave gaps in the navy’s major commitments elsewhere in the world.
As for
Ocean:
And the navy’s role recently escalated with the deployment of Apache attack helicopters from the amphibious helicopter carrier HMS Ocean.
The navy’s Commander-in-Chief-Fleet, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar, told The News that the helicopters – which are performing a carrier strike role in the absence of HMS Ark Royal and Harrier jump jets – are having a ‘significant impact’ in the warzone.
He said: ‘The Apaches are giving us a different capability and of course they have that ability to make better decisions on targeting.
‘They bring a strike capability from sea in a high-readiness role in support of the effort to safeguard the people of Libya and oppose Colonel Gaddafi’s real acts of war.’
Ergo, Ocean and the Apache are being used a substitute for CVS/Harrier.
Looking at the
Libya Operations Update from the MOD site, it would appear that
Ocean and her aicraft have been busy. In the last week or so:
7 July 2011
British forces have taken further military action against Colonel Gaddafi’s troops who were posing a threat to civilians in Libya, enforcing UN Security Council Resolution 1973.
On Tuesday night, Army Air Corps Apache helicopters, flying from HMS Ocean, struck check points and vehicle patrols which were restricting civilian freedom of movement along the main coastal road around Al Khums. Missile, rocket and cannon fire were used to severely damage or destroy a fixed check point, two military vehicles, and a regime strongpoint. Fleet Air Arm Sea Kings provided surveillance radar support to the attack helicopters. The destroyer HMS Liverpool, operating in the same area, fired a barrage of illumination rounds to facilitate other NATO surveillance operations during the night...
5 July 2011
Sunday saw NATO aircraft from several nations mount a coordinated strike on two large warehouse complexes being used to store military supplies in Brega; an RAF Tornado struck three of the target buildings...
During the night, HMS Ocean launched her detachment of British Army Apache helicopters in a strike against regime positions at Zuwarah airfield. Four armed vehicles and a command post were successfully attacked using Hellfire missiles and cannon fire. Fleet Air Arm Sea King helicopters provided radar surveillance for the Apache strike...
HMS Bangor maintained counter-mine patrols off Misurata, while RFA Fort Rosalie continued to provide afloat logistic support.
2 July 2011
In support of NATO's Operation Unified Protector, British forces have taken further coordinated action against pro-Gaddafi forces, enforcing UN Security Council Resolution 1973..
Last night, Army Apache Helicopters targeted the Al Mayah Military camp near Az Zawiyah to the west of Tripoli. The camp has been used by pro-Gaddafi forces as a base from which to terrorise the local population. In a single mission before midnight, UK Apaches used Hellfire missiles and cannons to destroy or disable a command and control vehicle, a bunker firing position and three Main Battle Tanks.
It does appear that
Ocean, her embarked Apache, Sea King, and Lynx aircraft, and other naval units have been rather busy in recent weeks.
If a CVS was there with Harriers, a greater effect could be achieved. The fact that Apaches are being used to conduct operations from a ship shows that land based aircraft are not responsive enough.