The real reason the RN and RAF are in danger of becoming token forces
Alternatively - you could say "down by the bow and sinking fast." It depresses me no end how the RN has lost capabilities in the last five years.
If you are a Marine, you now have excellent kit and some good platforms. Albion, Bulwark, Ocean, all the Bay Class etc. Life has not been this rosy for the Green Lids since the 50s. If you are an aviator, the focus of the RN is on aviation.
Both groups should try to avoid hostile nations with a Navy or an Air Force for the nest eight to ten years.
The amphibious vessels mentioned above may be good at putting forces ashore, but lack the means to defend themselves - hence escorts (ie frigates and destroyers) are needed. See this old article by Tim Ripley.
Also see the Sea Jet thread where all these things were discussed - not just SHAR.
Odd that the Government seem to consider it wise to plan to use troops to defend energy infrastructure in the UK, but seem to ignore the possible need to protect shipping elsewhere. Things will happen in the Gulf in the next couple of years. The nuclear stand off my lead to an Israeli or US strike, Tehran may decide to hit back at the international community for imposing sanctions, or (as seems likely) Iran and Saudi Arabia will come to blows.
Shipping in the Gulf will need to be defended - which might be tricky with a Fleet considerably smaller than we need. Admiral West said we need "about thirty" frigates and destroyers. Have we got about thirty? No!
What if Tehran decides that seaborne resupply to forces in Iraq will cease? Having to defend convoys for a thousand miles, looking out for submarines, mines, shore based missiles, missile armed attack craft, aircraft (some with anti ship missiles).....
If you are a Marine, you now have excellent kit and some good platforms. Albion, Bulwark, Ocean, all the Bay Class etc. Life has not been this rosy for the Green Lids since the 50s. If you are an aviator, the focus of the RN is on aviation.
Both groups should try to avoid hostile nations with a Navy or an Air Force for the nest eight to ten years.
The amphibious vessels mentioned above may be good at putting forces ashore, but lack the means to defend themselves - hence escorts (ie frigates and destroyers) are needed. See this old article by Tim Ripley.
Also see the Sea Jet thread where all these things were discussed - not just SHAR.
Odd that the Government seem to consider it wise to plan to use troops to defend energy infrastructure in the UK, but seem to ignore the possible need to protect shipping elsewhere. Things will happen in the Gulf in the next couple of years. The nuclear stand off my lead to an Israeli or US strike, Tehran may decide to hit back at the international community for imposing sanctions, or (as seems likely) Iran and Saudi Arabia will come to blows.
Shipping in the Gulf will need to be defended - which might be tricky with a Fleet considerably smaller than we need. Admiral West said we need "about thirty" frigates and destroyers. Have we got about thirty? No!
What if Tehran decides that seaborne resupply to forces in Iraq will cease? Having to defend convoys for a thousand miles, looking out for submarines, mines, shore based missiles, missile armed attack craft, aircraft (some with anti ship missiles).....
Last edited by WE Branch Fanatic; 9th Jan 2007 at 18:17.
So true GBZ. This disasterous "government" won't be around to reap the whirlwind they have sown. Blair and Cherie wil be raking in a fortune on the after dinner speech circuit and "Prudence" Brown will be sulking in the Highlands - and we will be reliant on Uncle Sam.
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I was thinking along similar lines during the last election.
If a good percentate of people in the Armed Forces registered their proxy vote in a particular constituency, say Sedgefield for example, and then a willing individual ran for election as an MP in that constituency, imagine the fun that could be had by 100,000 members of HM finest voting for their own man/woman.
The leader of the Labour Party losing his seat to the 'Forces Candidate' would be one hell of a way to get your point accross
If a good percentate of people in the Armed Forces registered their proxy vote in a particular constituency, say Sedgefield for example, and then a willing individual ran for election as an MP in that constituency, imagine the fun that could be had by 100,000 members of HM finest voting for their own man/woman.
The leader of the Labour Party losing his seat to the 'Forces Candidate' would be one hell of a way to get your point accross
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Christopher Robin is no child.
Set me thinking. The country I grew up in was self governing, well policed, well educated, industrious, un regulated, private, free, largely indigenous and rich in heritage.
The country now is externally regulated, policed by ineffective cowards, dumbed down and scarcely literate, reduced to a service culture, bureaucratic, intrusive, restrictive, full of immigrants and poisoned with political correctness.
Why? A generation of egotistically bad politicians have sold out to government by the EU without any democratic mandate. My parents had a vote on the Common Market by my generation never had a say in the European Super state.
I dream of turning on the six o'clock news to find a nice Army General sitting in Downing Street.
I would like to hear that the Cabinet has been ousted, the police are back on the streets, children are learning to read and write again, the bureaucracy has been scrapped, databases have been wiped, law and order restored, the people given a vote on withdrawal from the EU and the troops have come home to police the borders.
Other countries can look after their own interests so why can't we?
Oh, and I would kick Al Fayed back to Egypt whilst I am about it.
Set me thinking. The country I grew up in was self governing, well policed, well educated, industrious, un regulated, private, free, largely indigenous and rich in heritage.
The country now is externally regulated, policed by ineffective cowards, dumbed down and scarcely literate, reduced to a service culture, bureaucratic, intrusive, restrictive, full of immigrants and poisoned with political correctness.
Why? A generation of egotistically bad politicians have sold out to government by the EU without any democratic mandate. My parents had a vote on the Common Market by my generation never had a say in the European Super state.
I dream of turning on the six o'clock news to find a nice Army General sitting in Downing Street.
I would like to hear that the Cabinet has been ousted, the police are back on the streets, children are learning to read and write again, the bureaucracy has been scrapped, databases have been wiped, law and order restored, the people given a vote on withdrawal from the EU and the troops have come home to police the borders.
Other countries can look after their own interests so why can't we?
Oh, and I would kick Al Fayed back to Egypt whilst I am about it.
