BBC Blog Network

User Profile

bigtimenewsmad

Listed below are comments made by bigtimenewsmad between Tuesday, 30th June 2009 and Wednesday, 1st July 2009.

«Newer
Older»

Shipyard closure threat 11:35pm on 01 Jul 2009 I think that me6677 is fairly accurate in his assessment of the future composition of the Royal Navy. The new carriers will be mothballed and sold off when it becomes apparent that they are too expensive to operate. They will probably operate defunct Harriers for a few years and then be withdrawn at the same time as the aircraft, the F35 having been cancelled on cost grounds.
As I have said before, the Navy should have realised 10 years ago what they were getting into and settled for a viable number of destroyers/frigates, fleet submarines, amphibious ships (including 2/3 small "flat tops" which could each have been built for not much more than a frigate)and auxiliaries. As it is, they will probably end up with nothing.
The Astutes and the Trident replacement may well be the last submarines to be built in Britain, and the only hope for the surface fleet is the procurement of a low-cost light frigate/corvette which could be built in reasonable numbers. Future auxiliaries will probably be chartered merchant ships. An dreadful prospect, but no real surprise.
Aircraft carriers' costs soar £1bn 00:42am on 30 Jun 2009 This ill-conceived project should now be cancelled. It is obvious, in the era of the £1 billion destroyer, that these ships could never have been built for £4 billion. The navy is fighting for its survival as a major player in the 21st century and needs viable numbers of destroyers/ frigates, fleet submarines, amphibious ships and auxiliaries. If current trends continue, and there is no reason to suppose that they will not, the navy of 2020 will have only 12-16 escorts and 4-6 submarines. The idea of operating "carrier battle groups" is therefore ludicrous. Three smaller "flat tops" such as these operated/planned by Italy, Spain, Australia and Japan would provide more flexibility at a fraction of the cost of the proposed ships. If built, they will probably be mothballed after a few years service (with no aircraft!) and then "sold" (i.e. given away) overseas. Fill the current void with a realistic defence strategy and gear procurement to the needs of the armed forces, not British industry, Mr Brown!

«Newer
Older»

^ Back to top

BBC MMVI

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

BBC.co.uk

BBC Blog Network

Find and talk to the BBC's bloggers.

User Profile

bigtimenewsmad