Shipbucket

Yes, its hot on BBC radio this morning on my way into work: Ark Royal being decomissoined immediately, and no aircraft flying off any new carriers for 13 years; the first one to be built as a helicopter carrier, then the second equiped to accept U.S. and French aircraft (when the first can be sold or). The R.N. will loose more of its surface fleet, Trident deferred, anf a manpower cut of 5,000.

(If I was the Indian goverment I'd have make an earlier offer on one of the Invincibles. I would think refurbishing the Ark Royal would still be cheaper than what they've got in place with the Russian carrier - but by now that is not an option)

yes and the loss of harrier
and the surface escort fleet to be cut to 19
But what else?

_________________
"There was nothing wrong with Titanic when she left the Shipyard" Tim McGarry Belfast Comedian

It's 1966 all over again. The cancelation of the CVA-01 program set back the RN naval aviation a few years, and now the politicians are doing it again. It was said " he who never learns from history, will live through it again".

_________________
Thank you Kim for the crest

"Never fear to try on something new. Remember that the Titanic was built by professionals, and the Ark by an amateur"

With the procurment disaster that is Admiral Gorshkov / Vikramaditya, picking up a carrier to replace Viraat (Ex-Hermes) at scrapyard prices would be a very good deal. They would still need to refit the ship get get it up to standards but it couldn't help but be cheaper than the current program.
Illustrious got the refit that was still pending for Ark Royal, and is thus in better shape. My guess is Queen Elizabeth will end up as a CATOBAR carrier just due to delays in her building, even if she goes in for the refit right as Prince of Wales comes out.

The RN really came out of this defense review about as good as it could have. They get to keep the carriers, the T45s, 17 frigates, the Amphibious fleet, 7 SSNs, and 3 SSBNs. In short, they kept all the really important parts.

_________________
𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐍𝐄𝐓- 𝑻𝒐 𝑪𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆

Why does Britain even need a navy anymore when the USN has something like 15 supercarriers etc.

^^ seems to be the line of thought in most nations these days...

_________________
USN components, camouflage colors, & reference links (World War II only)

The US has 11, and will probably end up with 10 over the next few years (the dockside infrastructure isn't there to build and maintain an 11 carrier force).

What the RN buys them is an independent expeditionary capability and an independent nuclear deterrent.

_________________
𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐍𝐄𝐓- 𝑻𝒐 𝑪𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆

Last time i read Enterprise and Nimitz will leave service before planned date's.
The first carrier of the new class comes to late to make a 11 carrier fleet.
And the 2nd+3rd one comes to late to make even a 10 carrier fleet bij 2015??
So i quess usa will end with 9 carrier's max at one time.

_________________
Fryssian AU with Lt.Maverick 114
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9802&p=193331#p193331

Embarked on: HNLMS Karel Doorman A833
To do list:
-Zeven Provincien class cruiser
-Joint support ship all sides
-F124 Sachsen class frigate
-F125 Baden-Württemberg class frigate
-Clemencau class aircraft carrier
-Zeven provincien class frigate
-Poolster class AOR
-Amsterdam class AOR
-Minas Gerais aircraft carrier

Undoubtedly making way for the massive Royal Netherlands Navy to move in as its true position being the world's sole remaining superpower.

_________________
USN components, camouflage colors, & reference links (World War II only)

Omg the AMERICAN'S ARE SCARED FOR FISHING BOATS!

Yes USS stout had entered 6 fishing vessel's, 2 small boats that go max 6 knots.
And a dutch naval vessel.

Why?
They came inside a 500m area, IN DUTCH WATER'S.

Pussy's.
Since when can a 6knot boat ram into a Arleigh burke class and do the same as to uss cole.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvjQPHDu5xE


The dutch way:
Telling them to fock off, or we will open live fire.
And they just run off!

_________________
Fryssian AU with Lt.Maverick 114
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9802&p=193331#p193331

Embarked on: HNLMS Karel Doorman A833
To do list:
-Zeven Provincien class cruiser
-Joint support ship all sides
-F124 Sachsen class frigate
-F125 Baden-Württemberg class frigate
-Clemencau class aircraft carrier
-Zeven provincien class frigate
-Poolster class AOR
-Amsterdam class AOR
-Minas Gerais aircraft carrier

mm... did we actually need that last post? When the discussion is about RN carrier decline..

_________________
Shipbucket mainsite, aka "The Archive"
New AU project "Aravala"