Future Carrier (Including Costs)
Joined: Oct 2018
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,213
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From: Ferrara
As you say yourself that was 25++ years ago - Backfires, FIVE T45's at sea and ready to fight (!!)- and of course there is nowhere near the same number of Russian subs in service.
Its irrelevant to today and the future, just as battleships became with time
Its irrelevant to today and the future, just as battleships became with time
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,510
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From: Peripatetic
https://news.ssbcrack.com/chilean-na...oogle_vignette
Chilean Navy Eyes UK-Type 31 Frigates to Modernize Fleet
The Chilean Navy is positioning itself for a transformative partnership with the United Kingdom as part of its plan to modernize its fleet and bolster its naval industry.
Discussions have centered around the inclusion of the UK’s Type 31 frigates, designed by Babcock International as next-generation, multipurpose vessels. These ships promise modularity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, making them an appealing component of Chile’s naval renewal initiative.
For the UK, collaborating with Chile’s state-owned shipyard, ASMAR, could cement Chile’s status as a regional leader in shipbuilding while facilitating the international promotion of the Arrowhead 140 program.....
The Arrowhead 140 design’s flexibility has garnered interest from other nations, including Poland and Indonesia. The Polish Miecznik project is progressing with plans for three frigates, along with an option for an additional five, all based on Babcock’s design. Similarly, Indonesia’s state-run PT PAL is constructing two “Red White” frigates using the same platform. This adaptability not only emphasizes technology transfer but also encourages local manufacturing.....
Chilean Navy Eyes UK-Type 31 Frigates to Modernize Fleet
The Chilean Navy is positioning itself for a transformative partnership with the United Kingdom as part of its plan to modernize its fleet and bolster its naval industry.
Discussions have centered around the inclusion of the UK’s Type 31 frigates, designed by Babcock International as next-generation, multipurpose vessels. These ships promise modularity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, making them an appealing component of Chile’s naval renewal initiative.
For the UK, collaborating with Chile’s state-owned shipyard, ASMAR, could cement Chile’s status as a regional leader in shipbuilding while facilitating the international promotion of the Arrowhead 140 program.....
The Arrowhead 140 design’s flexibility has garnered interest from other nations, including Poland and Indonesia. The Polish Miecznik project is progressing with plans for three frigates, along with an option for an additional five, all based on Babcock’s design. Similarly, Indonesia’s state-run PT PAL is constructing two “Red White” frigates using the same platform. This adaptability not only emphasizes technology transfer but also encourages local manufacturing.....
Joined: Oct 2018
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,213
Likes: 1,648
From: Ferrara
Chile has always been able to pick up decent RN "pre-used" ships over the years. Now the RN runs them into the ground so there isn't much choice but to buy new I guess
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 501
Likes: 91
From: UK
We should acknowledge that PoW has today safely returned from its 8 month deployment to the other side of the world, successfully and without breaking down. You might say not breaking down should not be remarkable, but given the hoo-hah over previous teething troubles, and the hoo-hah that would have ensued if the carrier HAD encountered a problem, I think it's only right to acknowledge that it didn't.
BZ to all involved in pulling this off. Yes there are ongoing shortcomings, yes the Bs badly need an interim standoff capability, yes the whole thing will have placed the B fleet under considerable strain, and yes declaring FOC is a bit of a stretch. But the CSG deployment nevertheless achieved its stated aims and delivering it was no mean feat.
BZ to all involved in pulling this off. Yes there are ongoing shortcomings, yes the Bs badly need an interim standoff capability, yes the whole thing will have placed the B fleet under considerable strain, and yes declaring FOC is a bit of a stretch. But the CSG deployment nevertheless achieved its stated aims and delivering it was no mean feat.
Joined: Oct 2018
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,213
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From: Ferrara
Given the state of the nations finances if she had broken down she'd probably still be out there as we couldn't afford a tug to bring her back - they did have a problem or two with the aircraft but at least they didn't lose one this time
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,510
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From: Peripatetic
At the Commons Defence session on AUKUS today.
Emma Lewell asks LukePollard if sending an Astute-class SSN to be forward-based in Australia for Submarine Rotational Force - West is realistic or even possible from early 2027?
Pollard insists, "It is entirely realistic and in the planning assumption".
(Currently, no RN SSNs at sea and 4 out of 6 are in low readiness)
Emma Lewell asks LukePollard if sending an Astute-class SSN to be forward-based in Australia for Submarine Rotational Force - West is realistic or even possible from early 2027?
Pollard insists, "It is entirely realistic and in the planning assumption".
(Currently, no RN SSNs at sea and 4 out of 6 are in low readiness)
Joined: Dec 2001
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 2,965
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From: The Roman Empire
Straying into politics never ends well on the military side of pprune, but I would simply say this....
How much credibility does the average government minister/spokesperson have today, and how often do they admit to failings?
Was he really ever going to say it wouldn't be possible because of the poor state of the UK SSN fleet?
How much credibility does the average government minister/spokesperson have today, and how often do they admit to failings?
Was he really ever going to say it wouldn't be possible because of the poor state of the UK SSN fleet?
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 708
Likes: 117
From: the far south
Its like the emperor's new clothes. With neither the RN or govt willing to call out that the carriers should go.
Even if you cant sell them just retire them as they suck up money and manpower from more important areas.
Sure we are stuck with the F-35B but at least we might be able to fly them if the engineers stop PVRing to stop going to sea.
Even if you cant sell them just retire them as they suck up money and manpower from more important areas.
Sure we are stuck with the F-35B but at least we might be able to fly them if the engineers stop PVRing to stop going to sea.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,510
Likes: 7,255
From: Peripatetic
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-e...-srvl-upgrade/
UK explains delay to F-35B SRVL upgrade
The Ministry of Defence has moved to clarify the status of the Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing system for the UK’s F-35B Lightning II jets, after a series of written questions from Conservative MP James Cartlidge.
The UK Defence Journal understands that the capability has been delayed rather than cancelled, despite wording in the 2024 to 25 defence accounts that triggered reports suggesting it had been abandoned.
Across three separate answers, Defence Minister Luke Pollard restated that the SRVL system remains in development and that equipment already installed on HMS Prince of Wales is unaffected. Pollard said the system underwent initial trials in 2023 and that a commercial partner is still examining the results.
“The results of those trials continue to be analysed by a commercial partner, and when complete will enable the Ministry of Defence to make an accurate assessment of the benefits and cost of further developing the SRVL system for operational use,” he told Parliament…..
The confusion stemmed from an entry on page 140 of the MoD’s annual accounts describing a “SRVL upgrade cancellation” of about Ł300,000. Pollard said this referred only to the planned fitment of SRVL equipment to HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2025.
“The SRVL upgrade cancellation listed on p.140 of the MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 refers only to the fitment of SRVL equipment to HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2025,” Pollard wrote. “There is no impact to the equipment already fitted to Prince of Wales, and the MOD retains the ability to fit such equipment to Queen Elizabeth when the outcome of trials in 2023 are fully understood.”
Pollard repeated that the decision reflected a resource judgement rather than a reversal of policy. “This represents a Defence Choice; weighing up costs and benefits to prioritise the MOD’s resources effectively,” he said when asked what the term meant.
The clarification aligns with earlier statements on 25 November 2025, when ministers confirmed that SRVL “has not been cancelled” and that the schedule was being re-profiled to align with wider weapons-integration work….
UK explains delay to F-35B SRVL upgrade
The Ministry of Defence has moved to clarify the status of the Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing system for the UK’s F-35B Lightning II jets, after a series of written questions from Conservative MP James Cartlidge.
The UK Defence Journal understands that the capability has been delayed rather than cancelled, despite wording in the 2024 to 25 defence accounts that triggered reports suggesting it had been abandoned.
Across three separate answers, Defence Minister Luke Pollard restated that the SRVL system remains in development and that equipment already installed on HMS Prince of Wales is unaffected. Pollard said the system underwent initial trials in 2023 and that a commercial partner is still examining the results.
“The results of those trials continue to be analysed by a commercial partner, and when complete will enable the Ministry of Defence to make an accurate assessment of the benefits and cost of further developing the SRVL system for operational use,” he told Parliament…..
The confusion stemmed from an entry on page 140 of the MoD’s annual accounts describing a “SRVL upgrade cancellation” of about Ł300,000. Pollard said this referred only to the planned fitment of SRVL equipment to HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2025.
“The SRVL upgrade cancellation listed on p.140 of the MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 refers only to the fitment of SRVL equipment to HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2025,” Pollard wrote. “There is no impact to the equipment already fitted to Prince of Wales, and the MOD retains the ability to fit such equipment to Queen Elizabeth when the outcome of trials in 2023 are fully understood.”
Pollard repeated that the decision reflected a resource judgement rather than a reversal of policy. “This represents a Defence Choice; weighing up costs and benefits to prioritise the MOD’s resources effectively,” he said when asked what the term meant.
The clarification aligns with earlier statements on 25 November 2025, when ministers confirmed that SRVL “has not been cancelled” and that the schedule was being re-profiled to align with wider weapons-integration work….
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 376
From: Hampshire
Another frigate gone as Lancaster decommissions in Bahrain - crew to be flown home. Rachel will be happy that money for fuel and potential recertification saved 
.
HMS Lancaster arrived in Bahrain for the final time today – ending one of the busiest and longest careers of any major British warship.4-years-of-distinguished-service
.HMS Lancaster arrived in Bahrain for the final time today – ending one of the busiest and longest careers of any major British warship.4-years-of-distinguished-service
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 501
Likes: 91
From: UK
Another frigate gone as Lancaster decommissions in Bahrain - crew to be flown home. Rachel will be happy that money for fuel and potential recertification saved .
HMS Lancaster arrived in Bahrain for the final time today – ending one of the busiest and longest careers of any major British warship.4-years-of-distinguished-service
.HMS Lancaster arrived in Bahrain for the final time today – ending one of the busiest and longest careers of any major British warship.4-years-of-distinguished-service
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,081
Likes: 252
From: London/Oxford/New York
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,081
Likes: 252
From: London/Oxford/New York
Joined: Oct 2018
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,213
Likes: 1,648
From: Ferrara
I did not wish to be rude or unpleasant. I also have family and friends serving in various branches of the services. Most of them can take a joke............... and the serviceability record of the QE's is well known and not terribly good.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 844
From: Here 'n' there!
What is so sad to see is things like this on the RN Website talking about RFA Argus when articles like this are currently discussing her extended stay in Pompey. The real issue is that for years we have lived the "PR dream" but failed to sort out the realities of life - for a number of reasons - lack of funding & poor procurement processes being just 2. Just don't forget to book the crane......... And Ajax seems to be the latest saga. Still, on the bright side, re the Argus, I have fond, if very hazy, memories of a "Down the Irish Sea night" on the Argus after an abortive mission to find "one of theirs" supposedly sneaking round under the waters off Faslane.
