The 'dying' Royal Navy; what the US can learn.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Lancing, Sussex
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Naval helicopters
Having spend some years on the bits that attach weapons to naval choppers, always annoyed they are only ever shown fishing things out of the oggin.
Whereas their primary job would be sinking enemy ships.
The choppers torpedo or missile would be a frigate's main armament.
The 4.5" popgun on the fore-deck would not be much use
Whereas their primary job would be sinking enemy ships.
The choppers torpedo or missile would be a frigate's main armament.
The 4.5" popgun on the fore-deck would not be much use
Join Date: Jul 2006
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And another bites the dust...
UK loses operational maintenance and repair capability as Diligence is retired early | IHS Jane's 360
UK loses operational maintenance and repair capability as Diligence is retired early | IHS Jane's 360
My £0.02 worth....
The Navy should "defend the realm" along with the other armed forces as appropriate. Only after that is assured should we debate whether "force projection" is necessary, and if we decide it is, then you have to spend accordingly.
Problem is, the requirements change faster than the snails pace of procurement, so it's never right. Add inter-service bickering and top-heavy management (more admirals than ships?) and the results aren't good. Doing stuff on the cheap rarely works well, and when it does, it's usually down to the skill and bloody-mindedness of the guys at the pointy end somehow dragging it out of the fire.
Thing is none of our PPE graduate politicians ever seem to have bothered to study any history......
The Navy should "defend the realm" along with the other armed forces as appropriate. Only after that is assured should we debate whether "force projection" is necessary, and if we decide it is, then you have to spend accordingly.
Problem is, the requirements change faster than the snails pace of procurement, so it's never right. Add inter-service bickering and top-heavy management (more admirals than ships?) and the results aren't good. Doing stuff on the cheap rarely works well, and when it does, it's usually down to the skill and bloody-mindedness of the guys at the pointy end somehow dragging it out of the fire.
Thing is none of our PPE graduate politicians ever seem to have bothered to study any history......
Join Date: Jan 2001
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The idea that "defence of the realm" is best done at home is fallacious as any student of history will tell you.
Always fight on the enemies territory, and for that you need expeditionary.
(Bit simplistic, it's a lot more complex than that).
the requirements change faster than the snails pace of procurement
Re retards comment on our technological edge being eroded. I suggest you keep an eye on Rolls Royce who whilst always screaming that they can't recruit enough engineering staff are quietly issuing redundancy notices to those they do have.