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It cant really be because they are not sexy can it?
It cant really be because they are not sexy can it?
Is The Royal Navy Still a 'Blue Water Navy'? No, it is not.
A blog about UK defence issues which tries to put a positive and fresh look at many current matters impacting UK and wider defence.thinpinstripedline.blogspot.com
kinda a dark view of the RN as it stands. Needs more support ships.
If everyone needs more support ships why is no one building them? It cant really be because they are not sexy can it?
Interesting quotes from the article:Is The Royal Navy Still a 'Blue Water Navy'? No, it is not.
A blog about UK defence issues which tries to put a positive and fresh look at many current matters impacting UK and wider defence.thinpinstripedline.blogspot.com
kinda a dark view of the RN as it stands. Needs more support ships.
If everyone needs more support ships why is no one building them? It cant really be because they are not sexy can it?
In 1982 the RFA deployed no less than 10 of its tankers to participate in the Falkland’s War. A further 15 civilian tankers were taken up from trade and taken into use as support tankers for the operation.
One could argue that where Canada can't take a leading role in front line coalition military action we could certainly do some of the heavy lifting in the unglamourous background roles. Greater capacity in things like tankers, transport aircraft, AAR, MPAs, Air Defence, etc. These capabilities are key requirements in a major conflict and at the same time meet many of the political aims of typical Canadian governments (global reach and influence without being seen as "militaristic").In 2010 the RFA had 2300 personnel crewing 16 ships (6 tankers, 4 store ships, 4 LSD(A), RFA ARGUS and RFA DILIGENCE). Today the RFA has 1600 personnel (a roughly 30% headcount cut) and operates on paper 6 tankers, 1 store ship, 3 LSD(A) and 2 ‘MROS’ (newly commissioned cable surveillance and MCMV support vessels). In reality the situation is even worse as two of those tankers (the WAVE class) have been in reserve for several years due to a lack of crew and are about to be scrapped or sold. RFA FORT GEORGE was scrapped 10 years ago, the two older FORT class spent years in reserve and have now been sold to Egypt while the 31yr old RFA FORT VICTORIA is reportedly in very poor material condition and may not deploy again on operations except in an emergency. RFA DILIGENCE was paid off years ago, ostensibly due to facilities in Bahrain replacing her, but leaving the fleet without a repair vessel. Falklands veteran RFA ARGUS is now approaching her 50th birthday and is undergoing conversion to an amphibious support ship (presumably to make up for the loss without replacement of HMS OCEAN). Constant crew shortages mean it is hard to get ships to sea and operational – it is notable how many RFA vessels seem to spend their time alongside and not deployed while waiting for crew to sail them. The result is that since 2010 the RFA has been gutted, losing 25% of its landing ships, 30% of its staff, 30% of its tankers, 75% of its store ships and 100% of its repair ships. The modern Royal Navy will be reliant on a force of 4 tankers and just one supply ship to support its global operations.
Of those examples, I think MPAs are very "militaristic".Greater capacity in things like tankers, transport aircraft, AAR, MPAs, Air Defence, etc. These capabilities are key requirements in a major conflict and at the same time meet many of the political aims of typical Canadian governments (global reach and influence without being seen as "militaristic").
Interesting quotes from the article:
One could argue that where Canada can't take a leading role in front line coalition military action we could certainly do some of the heavy lifting in the unglamourous background roles. Greater capacity in things like tankers, transport aircraft, AAR, MPAs, Air Defence, etc. These capabilities are key requirements in a major conflict and at the same time meet many of the political aims of typical Canadian governments (global reach and influence without being seen as "militaristic").
Canadians dont know or care until it directly impacts them or until a political party lets call them Liberals make an election issue out of it. There is a broad assumption by many people that government or even businesses are taking care of the things that they are supposed to until exposedNo argument from me....but which is an easier sell to Canadians?
This...
View attachment 78088
or this?
View attachment 78089
This is not limited to Canadians.CanadiansPeople dont know or care until it directly impacts them or until a political party lets call themLiberalsany opposition party make an election issue out of it. There is a broad assumption by many people that government or even businesses are taking care of the things that they are supposed to until exposed
true but I think we are better or worse at it then othersThis is not limited to Canadians.
Shhh, keep that under your hat.Of those examples, I think MPAs are very "militaristic".
We can couch it in "surveillance" terminology all we want, but realistically the MPA task is to hunt and kill submarines and surface warships.
I was in Barrie yesterday and people sure seemed to like the F18s flying overhead as well
They’re not painted grey.
You were watching Star Trek on the weekend weren't you?View attachment 78422
Here's a question - Could a Big Honking Ship be driven from the Life Boat?
Remove the Bridge
Move the Lifeboat and Ramp forwards.
Increase the size of the Lifeboat to include bunks for the crew.
Decrease the crew size to 8 to 12.
Tie in all the Lifeboat controls to the BHS.
One HMI controlling both the BHS engines, propulsors and rudders and those of the Lifeboat.
Don't worry about passenger safety. Troopies will fly. This is just to deliver cargo and other inanimate objects.
Maximize the use of Autonomy but maintaining a minimal supervisory capability.
And if the ship can't be saved by the automatic solutions then save the crew and abandon the ship.
View attachment 78422
Here's a question - Could a Big Honking Ship be driven from the Life Boat?
Remove the Bridge
Move the Lifeboat and Ramp forwards.
Increase the size of the Lifeboat to include bunks for the crew.
Decrease the crew size to 8 to 12.
Tie in all the Lifeboat controls to the BHS.
One HMI controlling both the BHS engines, propulsors and rudders and those of the Lifeboat.
Don't worry about passenger safety. Troopies will fly. This is just to deliver cargo and other inanimate objects.
Maximize the use of Autonomy but maintaining a minimal supervisory capability.
And if the ship can't be saved by the automatic solutions then save the crew and abandon the ship.
OK