UK Strategic Defence Review 2020 - get your bids in now ladies & gents

[ORAC]

The Polish army is still (just) smaller than the British army and they're about as close to the threat as you can get….

The biggest question the labour party has to answer is why should the UK return to a land-centric European strategy, when the European nations up-threat don't invest proportionately in their own defence?

https://news.yahoo.com/poland-revamp...194337775.html

Poland revamping military, more than doubling its army to counter Russian threat: report

….Worried they could one day be in the crosshairs of the Kremlin, Poland aims to spend 4% of its GDP on defense this year. That’s double the NATO requirement and would make Poland the biggest spender per capita on defense in the military alliance….

Poland has ordered 1,000 K2 main battle tanks from South Korea and 250 M1A2 SEPv3 Abram Tanks from the USA. Another 600 K9s, 18 HIMARS launchers and 288 K239 Chunmoo MRL systems from South Korea are expected to arrive.

Meanwhile, the country is planning to more than double the size of its army to 300,000 troops – effectively making it the largest military – in terms of manpower – west of Ukraine….

[Finningley Boy]

Originally Posted by ORAC

https://news.yahoo.com/poland-revamp...194337775.html

Poland revamping military, more than doubling its army to counter Russian threat: report

….Worried they could one day be in the crosshairs of the Kremlin, Poland aims to spend 4% of its GDP on defense this year. That’s double the NATO requirement and would make Poland the biggest spender per capita on defense in the military alliance….

Poland has ordered 1,000 K2 main battle tanks from South Korea and 250 M1A2 SEPv3 Abram Tanks from the USA. Another 600 K9s, 18 HIMARS launchers and 288 K239 Chunmoo MRL systems from South Korea are expected to arrive.

Meanwhile, the country is planning to more than double the size of its army to 300,000 troops – effectively making it the largest military – in terms of manpower – west of Ukraine….

That's impressive stuff, how are they paying for it? Borrowing?

FB

[pr00ne]

[QUOTE=Finningley Boy;11403001][QUOTE=pr00ne;11402678]

Originally Posted by Not_a_boffin

Right! That's enough of your politicking pr00ne young fellah, go and stand in corner, face the wall and don't keep peeking over your shoulder or you'll go straight up those stairs!

FB

I'm 74....

[ORAC]

Not sure, did I mention they’ve also ordered 96 AH-64 Apache and 1400 IFV and also have 32 x F-35A and 48 x FA-50 ground attack aircraft on order?

https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/...ting-vehicles/

https://www.defensenews.com/global/e...-abrams-tanks/

Not to forget the navy, where they’re pressing ahead with a programme building their own new frigates…

https://www.babcockinternational.com...amme-miecznik/

[Finningley Boy]

[QUOTE=pr00ne;11403048][QUOTE=Finningley Boy;11403001]

Originally Posted by pr00ne

I'm 74....

Well you're not too big to be sent to your room. I had you pegged at the age pr00ne if you flew Phantoms from Bruggen, can I ask, did you see the USSR then, or look back on the USSR from now, as the same kind of military threat as Putin's Russia?

FB

[Finningley Boy]

Originally Posted by ORAC

Not sure, did I mention they’ve also ordered 96 AH-64 Apache and 1400 IFV and also have 32 x F-35A and 48 x FA-50 ground attack aircraft on order?

https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/...ting-vehicles/

https://www.defensenews.com/global/e...-abrams-tanks/

Not to forget the navy, where they’re pressing ahead with a programme building their own new frigates…

https://www.babcockinternational.com...amme-miecznik/

Seems like they're embarking on a wartime economy, it seems like it at least!

FB

[ORAC]

British Army confirms plans to replace the AS90 SPHs gifted to Ukraine with BAE Systems Bofors Archer heavy artillery guns from SwedeN as an interim Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) solution.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/b...al-with-sweden

[pr00ne]

[QUOTE=Finningley Boy;11403071][QUOTE=pr00ne;11403048]

Originally Posted by Finningley Boy

Well you're not too big to be sent to your room. I had you pegged at the age pr00ne if you flew Phantoms from Bruggen, can I ask, did you see the USSR then, or look back on the USSR from now, as the same kind of military threat as Putin's Russia?

FB

Nope. Saw it as an idealogical stand off with both sides claiming they needed to be on full scale military alert as their was a threat of the other side invading.
We knew at the time that there was no chance of NATO invading the East, and we now know from post cold war docs and revelations that there was no chance of the Soviets and Warsaw Pact invading the West, but we didn’t know that then and the threat felt real.

As an aside I went to look at one of my QRA target folders, an East German SAM complex, and was rather disturbed at the civilian housing that my bucket of US instant sunshine would have vaporised- sobering.

[Finningley Boy]

[QUOTE=pr00ne;11403356][QUOTE=Finningley Boy;11403071]

Originally Posted by pr00ne

Nope. Saw it as an idealogical stand off with both sides claiming they needed to be on full scale military alert as their was a threat of the other side invading.
We knew at the time that there was no chance of NATO invading the East, and we now know from post cold war docs and revelations that there was no chance of the Soviets and Warsaw Pact invading the West, but we didn’t know that then and the threat felt real.

As an aside I went to look at one of my QRA target folders, an East German SAM complex, and was rather disturbed at the civilian housing that my bucket of US instant sunshine would have vaporised- sobering.

Indeed, a period of great mistrust. I drew a blank from a Flt Lt out in Gatow when I suggested the status of East and West Berlin could not continue indefinitely, that was in 1988.

FB

[rattman]

Originally Posted by ORAC

British Army confirms plans to replace the AS90 SPHs gifted to Ukraine with BAE Systems Bofors Archer heavy artillery guns from SwedeN as an interim Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) solution.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/b...al-with-sweden

Worst kept secret. Even me a world away heard about it from people who went to the https://omconf.com/future-indirect-fires last week were saying it was a done deal

[ORAC]

The cost of RAF Protector up by Ł325.6m

- Ł186.8m for delaying the programme 2yrs to manage 'wider affordability challenges'.
-Ł64.6m changing sensor to avoid future obsolescence.
-Ł23.4m for additional costs in advance of delay.
-Ł50.8m in FOREX and accounting adjustments.

[Finningley Boy]

Originally Posted by ORAC

The cost of RAF Protector up by Ł325.6m

- Ł186.8m for delaying the programme 2yrs to manage 'wider affordability challenges'.
-Ł64.6m changing sensor to avoid future obsolescence.
-Ł23.4m for additional costs in advance of delay.
-Ł50.8m in FOREX and accounting adjustments.

I trust this is within the limit of Ben's credit card, or perhaps he's wisely using a debit card?!

FB

Lovely, that's all gone through for you Sir!

[pr00ne]

[QUOTE=Finningley Boy;11403363][QUOTE=pr00ne;11403356]

Originally Posted by Finningley Boy

Indeed, a period of great mistrust. I drew a blank from a Flt Lt out in Gatow when I suggested the status of East and West Berlin could not continue indefinitely, that was in 1988.

FB

Although to be clear, as I didn't answer directly your question, I DO see the Putin regime as far more of a threat than the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact ever presented. Much more dangerous, unpredictable and evil.

[ORAC]

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/brit...f-c-130-fleet/

Britain going ahead with sale of C-130 fleet

The Royal Air Force’s C-130J Hercules capability is planned to be withdrawn from service on 30 June 2023.

….Alex Chalk, Minister of State for the Ministry of Defence, stated:

“The Royal Air Force’s C-130J Hercules capability is planned to be withdrawn from service on 30 June 2023. Appropriate disposal activities have already begun in support of the potential sale of the airframes, flight simulators, support equipment, and the remaining specialised C130J spares inventory.”

In preparation for the withdrawal of the C-130J Hercules from service, the RAF has started taking necessary measures to facilitate the potential sale of the aircraft and associated assets.

These measures, referred to above as “appropriate disposal activities,” involve the process of decommissioning the aircraft and organising the relevant resources for sale.

The resources mentioned include:

1. Airframes: The main body and structure of the C-130J Hercules aircraft, which could be sold to other countries or organisations interested in acquiring these aircraft for their own use.
2. Flight simulators: Training devices that replicate the experience of piloting the C-130J Hercules, allowing pilots to practice and develop their skills in a safe and controlled environment.
3. Support equipment: Various tools and machinery needed for the maintenance, repair, and operation of the C-130J Hercules aircraft.
4. Specialised C130J spares inventory: Spare parts specifically designed for the C-130J Hercules aircraft, which could be used for maintenance and repairs by potential buyers.

The RAF is taking a proactive approach to ensure a smooth transition as the C-130J Hercules aircraft are retired from service, while also potentially generating revenue from the sale of the aircraft and associated resources.

[Asturias56]

Interesting stat in the Business pages of the Times today - something like 25% of the Defence Budget is "nuclear related" - weapons, & submarines

[Finningley Boy]

[QUOTE=pr00ne;11404224][QUOTE=Finningley Boy;11403363]

Originally Posted by pr00ne

Although to be clear, as I didn't answer directly your question, I DO see the Putin regime as far more of a threat than the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact ever presented. Much more dangerous, unpredictable and evil.

Indeed!

FB​​​​​​​

[rattman]

Jebus just watched a mark felton vid, never realised how much the UK military has been crippled until he dropped it straight as facts

You Tube

Most shocking to me was that UK has only 150 fast jets, I always knew they got stuff all F-35's but always assume they had lots of typhoons. Compare it to the RAAF less airframes but much greater capability. RAAF today is 55 F-35's, 24 Super hornets and 11 Growlers

[Stratnumberone]

Originally Posted by ORAC

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/brit...f-c-130-fleet/

Britain going ahead with sale of C-130 fleet

The Royal Air Force’s C-130J Hercules capability is planned to be withdrawn from service on 30 June 2023.

….Alex Chalk, Minister of State for the Ministry of Defence, stated:

“The Royal Air Force’s C-130J Hercules capability is planned to be withdrawn from service on 30 June 2023. Appropriate disposal activities have already begun in support of the potential sale of the airframes, flight simulators, support equipment, and the remaining specialised C130J spares inventory.”

In preparation for the withdrawal of the C-130J Hercules from service, the RAF has started taking necessary measures to facilitate the potential sale of the aircraft and associated assets.

These measures, referred to above as “appropriate disposal activities,” involve the process of decommissioning the aircraft and organising the relevant resources for sale.

The resources mentioned include:

1. Airframes: The main body and structure of the C-130J Hercules aircraft, which could be sold to other countries or organisations interested in acquiring these aircraft for their own use.
2. Flight simulators: Training devices that replicate the experience of piloting the C-130J Hercules, allowing pilots to practice and develop their skills in a safe and controlled environment.
3. Support equipment: Various tools and machinery needed for the maintenance, repair, and operation of the C-130J Hercules aircraft.
4. Specialised C130J spares inventory: Spare parts specifically designed for the C-130J Hercules aircraft, which could be used for maintenance and repairs by potential buyers.

The RAF is taking a proactive approach to ensure a smooth transition as the C-130J Hercules aircraft are retired from service, while also potentially generating revenue from the sale of the aircraft and associated resources.

What a depressing article.

[Finningley Boy]

Originally Posted by rattman

Jebus just watched a mark felton vid, never realised how much the UK military has been crippled until he dropped it straight as facts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7JxykuyxBo

Most shocking to me was that UK has only 150 fast jets, I always knew they got stuff all F-35's but always assume they had lots of typhoons. Compare it to the RAAF less airframes but much greater capability. RAAF today is 55 F-35's, 24 Super hornets and 11 Growlers

Especially considering the population differential, Australia 26.5 million UK a whisker off 69 million.

FB

[typerated]

Originally Posted by rattman

Jebus just watched a mark felton vid, never realised how much the UK military has been crippled until he dropped it straight as facts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7JxykuyxBo

Most shocking to me was that UK has only 150 fast jets, I always knew they got stuff all F-35's but always assume they had lots of typhoons. Compare it to the RAAF less airframes but much greater capability. RAAF today is 55 F-35's, 24 Super hornets and 11 Growlers

Super Hornets? Greater capability?- you are having a larf!
Did you hear about the Air Force officer asking the supplier if he can get for a fuel cap for a Super Hornet.
The supplier thinks for a while and says fair swap I suppose.

Above with apologies to Lada