Future Carrier (Including Costs)
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Mine was a rhetorical question, designed to illustrate to WEBF that Dragon wasn't needed on scene as an air control asset.
I'm sure the airspace in the region is well controlled/co-ordinated/monitored, and has been for weeks.
I'm sure the airspace in the region is well controlled/co-ordinated/monitored, and has been for weeks.
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From: Ferrara
Browsing I came across this from 9 years ago:-
Old 1st April 2017 | 16:54 #4016 (permalink)
Just This Once... Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,158 Likes: 49 From: UK
Quote:
Originally Posted by MSOCS
UK carriers won't have the weight and quantity of firepower of the CVNs. We have to be realistic.
Indeed, this is all about joint power projection and nothing akin to US carrier groups. The RN is simply incapable of putting together its own self-supporting carrier group. The cuts have been too deep and it simply does not have the capacity to put together a group of ships that are fuelled, fully armed, manned, trained and equipped for independent ops - let alone sail such a group as a matter of routine.
The USN may make this look easy, but it is anything but and it costs more treasure than our Treasury is willing to accept.
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https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation-57/
Due to a shortage of ships, London had to lease the German frigate Sachsen to fulfill its NATO obligations. Starting in April, the United Kingdom is supposed to take over as the flagship of NATO’s Standing Naval Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), a rapid-response force operating in the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea. However, after the frigate Dragon was deployed to Cyprus to protect British bases, it turned out that the Royal Navy has no combat-ready ship capable of replacing it. Only two destroyers in the British fleet remain capable of carrying out such missions — Dauntless and Duncan. At the same time, three other ships — HMS Daring, Diamond, and Defender — are currently in dock awaiting upgrades to their power systems. As a result, ministers had to turn to Germany to help fill the gap and meet their commitments in the Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea in April. Members of the British Parliament expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of their own military ships, calling the situation a “national disgrace,” according to The Telegraph. As it turns out, we are also “perfectly prepared” for a war in the Baltic Sea. What were you doing during these four years that Ukraine gave you at the cost of thousands upon thousands of lives, guys…
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Old 1st April 2017 | 16:54 #4016 (permalink)
Just This Once... Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,158 Likes: 49 From: UK
Quote:
Originally Posted by MSOCS
UK carriers won't have the weight and quantity of firepower of the CVNs. We have to be realistic.
Indeed, this is all about joint power projection and nothing akin to US carrier groups. The RN is simply incapable of putting together its own self-supporting carrier group. The cuts have been too deep and it simply does not have the capacity to put together a group of ships that are fuelled, fully armed, manned, trained and equipped for independent ops - let alone sail such a group as a matter of routine.
The USN may make this look easy, but it is anything but and it costs more treasure than our Treasury is willing to accept.
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https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation-57/
Royal Navy forced to lease a German Frigate due to the lack of ships.
NutLoose on 29th March 2026Due to a shortage of ships, London had to lease the German frigate Sachsen to fulfill its NATO obligations. Starting in April, the United Kingdom is supposed to take over as the flagship of NATO’s Standing Naval Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), a rapid-response force operating in the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea. However, after the frigate Dragon was deployed to Cyprus to protect British bases, it turned out that the Royal Navy has no combat-ready ship capable of replacing it. Only two destroyers in the British fleet remain capable of carrying out such missions — Dauntless and Duncan. At the same time, three other ships — HMS Daring, Diamond, and Defender — are currently in dock awaiting upgrades to their power systems. As a result, ministers had to turn to Germany to help fill the gap and meet their commitments in the Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea in April. Members of the British Parliament expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of their own military ships, calling the situation a “national disgrace,” according to The Telegraph. As it turns out, we are also “perfectly prepared” for a war in the Baltic Sea. What were you doing during these four years that Ukraine gave you at the cost of thousands upon thousands of lives, guys…
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From: Portsmouth
Browsing I came across this from 9 years ago:-
Old 1st April 2017 | 16:54 #4016 (permalink)
Just This Once... Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,158 Likes: 49 From: UK
Quote:
Originally Posted by MSOCS
UK carriers won't have the weight and quantity of firepower of the CVNs. We have to be realistic.
Indeed, this is all about joint power projection and nothing akin to US carrier groups. The RN is simply incapable of putting together its own self-supporting carrier group. The cuts have been too deep and it simply does not have the capacity to put together a group of ships that are fuelled, fully armed, manned, trained and equipped for independent ops - let alone sail such a group as a matter of routine.
The USN may make this look easy, but it is anything but and it costs more treasure than our Treasury is willing to accept.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation-57/
Due to a shortage of ships, London had to lease the German frigate Sachsen to fulfill its NATO obligations. Starting in April, the United Kingdom is supposed to take over as the flagship of NATO’s Standing Naval Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), a rapid-response force operating in the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea. However, after the frigate Dragon was deployed to Cyprus to protect British bases, it turned out that the Royal Navy has no combat-ready ship capable of replacing it. Only two destroyers in the British fleet remain capable of carrying out such missions — Dauntless and Duncan. At the same time, three other ships — HMS Daring, Diamond, and Defender — are currently in dock awaiting upgrades to their power systems. As a result, ministers had to turn to Germany to help fill the gap and meet their commitments in the Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea in April. Members of the British Parliament expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of their own military ships, calling the situation a “national disgrace,” according to The Telegraph. As it turns out, we are also “perfectly prepared” for a war in the Baltic Sea. What were you doing during these four years that Ukraine gave you at the cost of thousands upon thousands of lives, guys…
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Old 1st April 2017 | 16:54 #4016 (permalink)
Just This Once... Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,158 Likes: 49 From: UK
Quote:
Originally Posted by MSOCS
UK carriers won't have the weight and quantity of firepower of the CVNs. We have to be realistic.
Indeed, this is all about joint power projection and nothing akin to US carrier groups. The RN is simply incapable of putting together its own self-supporting carrier group. The cuts have been too deep and it simply does not have the capacity to put together a group of ships that are fuelled, fully armed, manned, trained and equipped for independent ops - let alone sail such a group as a matter of routine.
The USN may make this look easy, but it is anything but and it costs more treasure than our Treasury is willing to accept.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation-57/
Royal Navy forced to lease a German Frigate due to the lack of ships.
NutLoose on 29th March 2026Due to a shortage of ships, London had to lease the German frigate Sachsen to fulfill its NATO obligations. Starting in April, the United Kingdom is supposed to take over as the flagship of NATO’s Standing Naval Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), a rapid-response force operating in the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea. However, after the frigate Dragon was deployed to Cyprus to protect British bases, it turned out that the Royal Navy has no combat-ready ship capable of replacing it. Only two destroyers in the British fleet remain capable of carrying out such missions — Dauntless and Duncan. At the same time, three other ships — HMS Daring, Diamond, and Defender — are currently in dock awaiting upgrades to their power systems. As a result, ministers had to turn to Germany to help fill the gap and meet their commitments in the Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea in April. Members of the British Parliament expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of their own military ships, calling the situation a “national disgrace,” according to The Telegraph. As it turns out, we are also “perfectly prepared” for a war in the Baltic Sea. What were you doing during these four years that Ukraine gave you at the cost of thousands upon thousands of lives, guys…
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1. As Biggus noted on that thread, the UK/RN have not "leased" a German frigate. Because our nominated ship for the job (Dragon) has been re-tasked to defend RAF Akrotiri (although frankly, Lord knows why a premier land base needs defending by the RN), the 1* battle staff for SNMG1 has had to embark in a German unit assigned to the force.
2. Duncan or Dauntless could have been tasked, but NCHQ has decided to prioritise the upcoming Op Firecrest.
3. None of the class are "in dock awaiting upgrades to their power systems". Daring is on a tidal berth awaiting sea trials (at long last - poster child for availability of spares and limits in dockyard capacity), Defender has had her PIP and is now in test and commissioning stage. Diamond is in the middle of her PIP.
As for the stuff on the carrier group, no-one ever expected the UK CSG to be equivalent to a USN CVBG. It is also true that we are still missing elements of the group - support shipping for one, but also the elongated procurement of F35 and squadron standup has not helped. Remind me whose budget is responsible for that? It's also undeniable that we've managed two six month plus extended deployments, plus other ops closer to home and that will get better as the T45s complete PIP (and the weapons upgrade) as well as the T26/T31 entering service in numbers. Although the latter is dependent on overcoming the appalling productivity of BAES shipyards in particular - which I'm sure will somehow be blamed on "the carriers".
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From: Peripatetic
Maybe not the "toy" carriers referred to by Trump - but increasingly not ones' ready to go to war.....
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/no-p...raft-carriers/
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/no-p...raft-carriers/
No plans to add 30mm guns to UK aircraft carriers
The UK government has confirmed there are no plans to fit 30mm naval guns to HMS Queen Elizabeth or HMS Prince of Wales, despite growing concern over drone threats to warships.
Responding to a written question from Lord Lee of Trafford, Defence Minister Lord Coaker said the carriers already rely on a layered defence approach.
.
The decision comes despite the carriers having been designed with four positions for 30mm gun systems, none of which have been installed since the ships entered service.
.
The DS30M Mark 2, widely used across the Royal Navy’s surface fleet, is a stabilised 30mm cannon system designed to counter fast attack craft and small surface threats, and has also been adapted in some cases to engage aerial targets such as drones.
The system uses an electro-optical director and can be controlled from elsewhere on the ship, allowing operators to track and engage targets without direct line-of-sight from the mount itself. Its stabilisation and dual-feed ammunition system enable engagement of multiple target types at ranges of up to around 5km, with the ability to switch between ammunition types depending on the threat.
Originally introduced to address gaps in the Royal Navy’s ability to deal with swarming small boat attacks, the system has since become a standard close-range defensive weapon across surface combatants, complementing other systems such as Phalanx close-in weapon systems and escort-based air defence.
The UK government has confirmed there are no plans to fit 30mm naval guns to HMS Queen Elizabeth or HMS Prince of Wales, despite growing concern over drone threats to warships.
Responding to a written question from Lord Lee of Trafford, Defence Minister Lord Coaker said the carriers already rely on a layered defence approach.
.
“There are no plans to fit a 30mm weapon system to HMS Queen Elizabeth or HMS Prince of Wales,” he said. “The Queen Elizabeth Class carriers are equipped with a range of defensive systems, which along with escort vessels and wider force protection measures, provide a layered defensive system that is effective against a wide range of threats, including emerging uncrewed aerial threats.”
.The decision comes despite the carriers having been designed with four positions for 30mm gun systems, none of which have been installed since the ships entered service.
.
The DS30M Mark 2, widely used across the Royal Navy’s surface fleet, is a stabilised 30mm cannon system designed to counter fast attack craft and small surface threats, and has also been adapted in some cases to engage aerial targets such as drones.
The system uses an electro-optical director and can be controlled from elsewhere on the ship, allowing operators to track and engage targets without direct line-of-sight from the mount itself. Its stabilisation and dual-feed ammunition system enable engagement of multiple target types at ranges of up to around 5km, with the ability to switch between ammunition types depending on the threat.
Originally introduced to address gaps in the Royal Navy’s ability to deal with swarming small boat attacks, the system has since become a standard close-range defensive weapon across surface combatants, complementing other systems such as Phalanx close-in weapon systems and escort-based air defence.
Although the two Royal Navy carriers were originally intended to be fitted with four 30mm RWS, none have been installed and they are no longer planned for installation.
The ships also lack an R-ESM sensor and dedicated decoy-launching systems, aside from the anti-torpedo decoy launchers already fitted.
The ships also lack an R-ESM sensor and dedicated decoy-launching systems, aside from the anti-torpedo decoy launchers already fitted.
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FT Whitehall editor
EXC: The captain of one of Britain’s nuclear-armed submarines has stepped back from his role this week after being investigated over his relationship with Joani Reid, the Labour MP whose husband has been arrested on suspicion of spying for China
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Article in FT.
The captain of one of Britain’s nuclear-armed submarines has stepped back from his role this week after being investigated over his relationship with Joani Reid, the Labour MP whose husband has been arrested on suspicion of spying for China.
The Royal Navy launched an investigation last year in response to allegations that the senior military officer — who is married — had conducted an inappropriate relationship with Reid, according to people familiar with the matter. The probe was necessary from a “due diligence perspective” to examine any potential blackmail risk, one of the people added.
Fresh security checks were carried out this month after Reid’s husband was arrested under the UK National Security Act on suspicion of assisting China’s foreign intelligence service, the people said. The Ministry of Defence was satisfied by the checks and remains confident that there was no breach of security.
This week, after the MoD was approached about the matter by the FT, the officer decided to step back from his position for personal reasons. He has not left the Royal Navy.
People familiar with the case said that the allegations of an inappropriate relationship were thoroughly investigated last year and the captain was not subjected to disciplinary action. The officer has not broken any military rules.
However, the captain and Reid were found to have exchanged flirtatious messages and action was taken to mitigate any blackmail risk, one of the people said. Reid rejects that the messages were flirtatious, a person close to her said.
The officer and Reid, MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, first met as young adults, according to the people familiar with the matter.
Reid’s constituency is about 50km from His Majesty’s naval base, Clyde at Faslane, the site that is home to the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent.
In January 2025 she visited the base as part of a visit organised by the armed forces parliamentary scheme, which provides UK legislators with insight into the operations of the British military. The captain was not on the base at the time, but the pair were in contact following her visit.The pair are thought to have met once as well as exchanged messages, but have had no contact since September, the people said. There was no physical relationship between the pair.
A Royal Navy spokesperson told the FT: “The security of the nuclear deterrent is our highest priority, and we have robust processes in place to protect the security of our people and capabilities. We will not comment on individual cases.”
Reid’s spokesperson declined to comment. The FT sought to approach the officer via the MoD, which declined the request. UK military personnel are not permitted to speak with the media without authorisation from the ministry.
Reid’s husband, David Taylor, was one of three men connected to the Labour Party who were arrested in an operation led by counterterror police. The police investigation relates to “foreign interference targeting UK democracy”, security minister Dan Jarvis has said.
Taylor is named in Reid’s parliamentary register of interests as a family member engaged in third-party lobbying with regard to his role as director of the company Earthcott Ltd.
On the day of her husband’s arrest on March 4, Reid said: “I have never seen anything to make me suspect my husband has broken any law. I am not part of my husband’s business activities and neither I nor my children are part of this investigation.”
The following day she announced she had “voluntarily” suspended herself from the Labour whip “until internal investigations are concluded”.
The Royal Navy has been beset by scandals in recent years. In 2024, the commander of a Vanguard-class submarine was sacked after filming a sex video, according to reports.
It came after another commander of a Vanguard-class submarine was removed from his vessel in 2017 amid claims of an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.
Last year Admiral Sir Ben Key, then head of the navy, was sacked after an MoD investigation into his relationship with a female subordinate, as first reported by the FT. Key had made clear his intention to step down from the post.
/continues...
The Royal Navy launched an investigation last year in response to allegations that the senior military officer — who is married — had conducted an inappropriate relationship with Reid, according to people familiar with the matter. The probe was necessary from a “due diligence perspective” to examine any potential blackmail risk, one of the people added.
Fresh security checks were carried out this month after Reid’s husband was arrested under the UK National Security Act on suspicion of assisting China’s foreign intelligence service, the people said. The Ministry of Defence was satisfied by the checks and remains confident that there was no breach of security.
This week, after the MoD was approached about the matter by the FT, the officer decided to step back from his position for personal reasons. He has not left the Royal Navy.
People familiar with the case said that the allegations of an inappropriate relationship were thoroughly investigated last year and the captain was not subjected to disciplinary action. The officer has not broken any military rules.
However, the captain and Reid were found to have exchanged flirtatious messages and action was taken to mitigate any blackmail risk, one of the people said. Reid rejects that the messages were flirtatious, a person close to her said.
The officer and Reid, MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, first met as young adults, according to the people familiar with the matter.
Reid’s constituency is about 50km from His Majesty’s naval base, Clyde at Faslane, the site that is home to the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent.
In January 2025 she visited the base as part of a visit organised by the armed forces parliamentary scheme, which provides UK legislators with insight into the operations of the British military. The captain was not on the base at the time, but the pair were in contact following her visit.The pair are thought to have met once as well as exchanged messages, but have had no contact since September, the people said. There was no physical relationship between the pair.
A Royal Navy spokesperson told the FT: “The security of the nuclear deterrent is our highest priority, and we have robust processes in place to protect the security of our people and capabilities. We will not comment on individual cases.”
Reid’s spokesperson declined to comment. The FT sought to approach the officer via the MoD, which declined the request. UK military personnel are not permitted to speak with the media without authorisation from the ministry.
Reid’s husband, David Taylor, was one of three men connected to the Labour Party who were arrested in an operation led by counterterror police. The police investigation relates to “foreign interference targeting UK democracy”, security minister Dan Jarvis has said.
Taylor is named in Reid’s parliamentary register of interests as a family member engaged in third-party lobbying with regard to his role as director of the company Earthcott Ltd.
On the day of her husband’s arrest on March 4, Reid said: “I have never seen anything to make me suspect my husband has broken any law. I am not part of my husband’s business activities and neither I nor my children are part of this investigation.”
The following day she announced she had “voluntarily” suspended herself from the Labour whip “until internal investigations are concluded”.
The Royal Navy has been beset by scandals in recent years. In 2024, the commander of a Vanguard-class submarine was sacked after filming a sex video, according to reports.
It came after another commander of a Vanguard-class submarine was removed from his vessel in 2017 amid claims of an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.
Last year Admiral Sir Ben Key, then head of the navy, was sacked after an MoD investigation into his relationship with a female subordinate, as first reported by the FT. Key had made clear his intention to step down from the post.
/continues...
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From: Ferrara
" really should have done this on the other thread, but lets also "fact check" the nonsense here."
It is not nonsense that a very large sum of money was spent on what is, TBH, a niche capability that has little relevance to modern warfare. The carriers were /are a Blair-Brown vanity product.
All that money, the port infrastructure and the training and the crews could have been spent on reinforcing/replacing the surface fleet (which is now microscopic) and even buying another SSN. To deny that the Carrier purchase has not affected the rest of the navy is just defies belief.
It is not nonsense that a very large sum of money was spent on what is, TBH, a niche capability that has little relevance to modern warfare. The carriers were /are a Blair-Brown vanity product.
All that money, the port infrastructure and the training and the crews could have been spent on reinforcing/replacing the surface fleet (which is now microscopic) and even buying another SSN. To deny that the Carrier purchase has not affected the rest of the navy is just defies belief.
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From: Portsmouth
" really should have done this on the other thread, but lets also "fact check" the nonsense here."
It is not nonsense that a very large sum of money was spent on what is, TBH, a niche capability that has little relevance to modern warfare. The carriers were /are a Blair-Brown vanity product.
All that money, the port infrastructure and the training and the crews could have been spent on reinforcing/replacing the surface fleet (which is now microscopic) and even buying another SSN. To deny that the Carrier purchase has not affected the rest of the navy is just defies belief.
It is not nonsense that a very large sum of money was spent on what is, TBH, a niche capability that has little relevance to modern warfare. The carriers were /are a Blair-Brown vanity product.
All that money, the port infrastructure and the training and the crews could have been spent on reinforcing/replacing the surface fleet (which is now microscopic) and even buying another SSN. To deny that the Carrier purchase has not affected the rest of the navy is just defies belief.
The training and the crews which are broadly the same as their predecessors, so no new money there. The size of the surface fleet is down to two things - firstly poor logistics support in the T45 coupled with a propulsion design based on a false premise. The second is a result of a game of chicken between BAES and MoD over ordering T26 and the appalling productivity of the Clyde in delivering them.
Since 2017, the Clyde has delivered 1900 lightship tonnes per year, while employing the same number of people as a certain 80s/90s yard which put out three times that amount with the same number of people and considerably worse facilities.
One assumes you'll blame "the carriers' for that as well?
Last edited by Not_a_boffin; 1st April 2026 at 09:39.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
Good thing the Dutch, French, German, Greek and US fleets are there to defend Akrotiri, eh?
BREAKING: UK warship HMS Dragon has been forced to withdraw in order to be repaired at port after experiencing issues with its fresh water supplies.
The withdrawal was first reported by the Mail HMS Dragon had been deployed to the Middle East to help defend RAF Akrotiri during the Iran conflict.
The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for comment.
UPDATE: A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:
"HMS Dragon is undertaking a routine logistics stop and a short maintenance period in the Eastern Mediterranean, allowing the ship to take onboard provisions, optimise systems, and conduct maintenance.
"HMS Dragon will remain at a very high level of readiness during this period, able to sail at short notice if required.
"The UK continues to maintain a robust and layered defensive presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, working in coordination with allies. This includes Typhoon and F-35 jets, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, and advanced counter-drone and air defence systems"
The Government insists HMS Dragon was always due for a logistics stop at this stage in deployment but a "minor technical issue" with the onboard water systems will be fixed as part of it.
The withdrawal was first reported by the Mail HMS Dragon had been deployed to the Middle East to help defend RAF Akrotiri during the Iran conflict.
The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for comment.
UPDATE: A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:
"HMS Dragon is undertaking a routine logistics stop and a short maintenance period in the Eastern Mediterranean, allowing the ship to take onboard provisions, optimise systems, and conduct maintenance.
"HMS Dragon will remain at a very high level of readiness during this period, able to sail at short notice if required.
"The UK continues to maintain a robust and layered defensive presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, working in coordination with allies. This includes Typhoon and F-35 jets, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, and advanced counter-drone and air defence systems"
The Government insists HMS Dragon was always due for a logistics stop at this stage in deployment but a "minor technical issue" with the onboard water systems will be fixed as part of it.
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From: Peripatetic
Perhaps HMS Dragon could Dock in Limassol! Probably close enough to still defend RAF Akrotiri and continue fixing the ship…
Meanwhile.
Video
A second @820NAS Merlin Mk2 Crowsnest helicopter and an engineering team have arrived at RAF Akrotiri in Cyrpus after multi-stage flight from @RNASCuldrose
Did they bring any water bottles for the crew of HMS Dragon?
Asking for a friend.
Asking for a friend.
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From: Peripatetic
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/roya...-out-over-pay/
Royal Fleet Auxiliary seafarers walk out over pay
Seafarers serving in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have begun strike action after overwhelmingly rejecting the latest pay offer from their employer, the UK Defence Journal understands.
The maritime union RMT confirmed that its members walked out today, Tuesday 7 April, with a further day of action planned for Thursday 16 April. The union said it had made sustained efforts to reach a negotiated settlement, but that RFA management had continued to put forward proposals that fell short of members’ expectations.
The RFA provides essential logistical and operational support to the Royal Navy. During the strike, the union said members would continue to ensure the safety of vessels at all times, including managing moorings and gangways.
A key grievance centres on pay transparency. The union highlighted that seafarers can routinely work up to 12 hours a day, yet there remains no clear formula setting out how their pay is calculated against those hours.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said, as quoted in the union’s statement: “Our members in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are taking a principled stand today and I congratulate them.”
He added: “They will not accept substandard pay offers and are prepared to take further strike action if necessary to get the pay rise they deserve.”
Dempsey also pointed to the nature of the work, stating: “Our members play a vital role in supporting the Navy, often in some of the most demanding and dangerous working conditions.”
He called on the Ministry of Defence and the employer to “come forward with a serious, long-term commitment to improving pay and conditions, including ensuring they comply with National Minimum Wage legislation, if they are serious about retaining staff.”
The MoD has not yet publicly responded to the strike action.
Seafarers serving in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have begun strike action after overwhelmingly rejecting the latest pay offer from their employer, the UK Defence Journal understands.
The maritime union RMT confirmed that its members walked out today, Tuesday 7 April, with a further day of action planned for Thursday 16 April. The union said it had made sustained efforts to reach a negotiated settlement, but that RFA management had continued to put forward proposals that fell short of members’ expectations.
The RFA provides essential logistical and operational support to the Royal Navy. During the strike, the union said members would continue to ensure the safety of vessels at all times, including managing moorings and gangways.
A key grievance centres on pay transparency. The union highlighted that seafarers can routinely work up to 12 hours a day, yet there remains no clear formula setting out how their pay is calculated against those hours.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said, as quoted in the union’s statement: “Our members in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are taking a principled stand today and I congratulate them.”
He added: “They will not accept substandard pay offers and are prepared to take further strike action if necessary to get the pay rise they deserve.”
Dempsey also pointed to the nature of the work, stating: “Our members play a vital role in supporting the Navy, often in some of the most demanding and dangerous working conditions.”
He called on the Ministry of Defence and the employer to “come forward with a serious, long-term commitment to improving pay and conditions, including ensuring they comply with National Minimum Wage legislation, if they are serious about retaining staff.”
The MoD has not yet publicly responded to the strike action.
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From: Peripatetic
..............
France has definitively confirmed that it will not build additional Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarines and will stop at exactly six units of the Suffren class.
Three submarines (Suffren, Duguay-Trouin, and Tourville) are already in active service, the De Grasse is in testing, while the last two (Rubis and Casabianca) are under construction in Cherbourg for delivery by 2029-2030.
This decision, enacted in the new Military Programming Law, prioritizes investments in drones and the replenishment of ammunition stocks over expanding a series of highly expensive submarines.
The French Navy will thus maintain a flotilla of six modern SSNs, while continuing construction of the new deterrence submarines (SNLE 3G) at the Cherbourg site.
In the longer term, a successor program to the Barracuda is already in preparation to ensure the continuity of French submarine capabilities beyond the 2060s.
Three submarines (Suffren, Duguay-Trouin, and Tourville) are already in active service, the De Grasse is in testing, while the last two (Rubis and Casabianca) are under construction in Cherbourg for delivery by 2029-2030.
This decision, enacted in the new Military Programming Law, prioritizes investments in drones and the replenishment of ammunition stocks over expanding a series of highly expensive submarines.
The French Navy will thus maintain a flotilla of six modern SSNs, while continuing construction of the new deterrence submarines (SNLE 3G) at the Cherbourg site.
In the longer term, a successor program to the Barracuda is already in preparation to ensure the continuity of French submarine capabilities beyond the 2060s.
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Joined: Apr 2020
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Likes: 376
From: Hampshire
Even in 2012 
there were plenty of buildings in central London that exceeded the c.40m height of the SAMPSON and lower S1850M antennas which would have interferred with the radar picture. Given the point of T45 is to identify, track and interdict aerial threats at very long range, it would have been daft to stick one in confined riverine waters, although the plan was to have her at Sheerness rather than in London. One assumes terrorist threats would have arisen close to the venues with short range weapons which could have been easily hidden. The stationing of Typhoons at Northolt, the Rapier and Starstreak batteries, and Giraffe radar was a more sensible solution. Thre was also availablity of E-3 coverage in those days.
But then I suspect it was all to be seen to be doing something rather than a reaction to intelligence received.
there were plenty of buildings in central London that exceeded the c.40m height of the SAMPSON and lower S1850M antennas which would have interferred with the radar picture. Given the point of T45 is to identify, track and interdict aerial threats at very long range, it would have been daft to stick one in confined riverine waters, although the plan was to have her at Sheerness rather than in London. One assumes terrorist threats would have arisen close to the venues with short range weapons which could have been easily hidden. The stationing of Typhoons at Northolt, the Rapier and Starstreak batteries, and Giraffe radar was a more sensible solution. Thre was also availablity of E-3 coverage in those days.But then I suspect it was all to be seen to be doing something rather than a reaction to intelligence received.
