or maybe more than half the Hawk T2s with engine issues, to the extent that training pilots abroad is being investigated.

Few people unimpressed with first few of the T-31 weapon load….

12 cells shows a ship that is not fit to fight. Hard to have faith in the RN when they look at the global trend in VLS cells and then produce this.

Almost two pages in todays Times about the PoW problems - but nothing new or worth quoting - looks like the piece was given to a trainee............

It's almost as if someone has a tame journo at the times and is continually feeding them sh1t. You must be so disappointed...

It looks like a filler - on the one hand and on the other hand - but no "news" at all. They've also filled it up the space with some nice graphics. No doubt a slow news day. Even I, as someone who questions the value of the carriers to the RN, would say the "negative" points he makes are a bit ..... odd

News about what? I would imagine the tail shafts are out, damage to shell plating being assessed. Alignment of "A" bracket being checked. Its a slow process and of course the port shaft has be thoroughly inspected. Not very newsworthy really

Forward engine prop-shafts are out-of-line; need to watch that.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....1bc5a5777.jpeg

Just trying to help as these things can be missed...

It seems to be a historic problem - RN ships have often been criticised over the post war years for their weapons fits being smaller than other navies ships of the same type.

It's hard to know who is correct given the few naval actions that have taken place since 1945. Even the USN scrambled to fit point defence systems to their CVA's and CVN's in the 70's ..............

Solid upgrade for the Type 45. Moving to a loadout of 48 Aster 30 B1 with SRBM capability.

​​​​​​​https://t.co/WirwBuVVcs

What is more important I think is the addition of another 24 CAMM (SeaCeptor) missiles as well

This is starting to be in the same league as the Arleigh Burke Flight III which have 96 cells

https://cepa.org/article/the-fourth-...c-is-underway/

The Fourth Battle of the Atlantic Is Underway

"This is not a kinetic fight, It's a struggle between Russian forces that probe for weakness and NATO anti-submarine warfare forces that protect and deter."

Counting VLS cells is only one measure. You can have all the cells in the world, but they're not much good if other system limitations prevent their use.....

Not that I'm defending the paltry 12 on T31 btw - but that's what happens in a cost-capped procurement.

Times editorial today and article on underfunding - not very happy at all

https://www.pprune.org/military-avia...-gents-48.html

NAB - I agree about the effects of the procurement system

Local scuttlebut around Rosyth has that being very closely looked at..

​​​​​​​Destined for conversion to a mothership for Royal Navy mine-warfare drones the MV Island Crown is seen here inbound to @HMNBDevonport late this afternoon.

HMS Somerset, a Type 23 Frigate, is the first British warship to receive a replacement for the ageing Harpoon missile - the anti-ship and land-attack 'Naval Strike Missile'.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....e59d442c5.jpeg
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For those who have a life and were therefore unable to catch the defence select committee quizzing a couple of admirals this afternoon the carrier news was:

PoW - both shafts need repair. Fixed by “Spring” followed by “pre planned maintenance “. Rejoining the fleet “Autumn” . What caused the damage? “ Inquiry under way”

QE -Inspected, Does not have the same issue.

Some forceful questions along the lines of “ How many escorts are at sea or available today?” Were met with equally forceful refusal to answer.

Stay tuned for CAS tomorrow.

Twas it not Autumn when the propulsion casualty occurred?

As to the scheduled maintenance....could not most if not all of it be done during the current dry docking?

Or is multi-tasking not in vogue these days?

Maybe an indicator of poor QA by babcock

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...ired-with-glue

Todays Times has a story that Babcock's have been caught gluing broken bolt heads back on bolts in the "Vanguard" SSBN