Jonathan

@johnredwood Who was in government when the T26 order was cut from 13 to 8 to save money then done so slow it’s now taken over a decade to build a single frigate? Tories have no leg to stand on, the reason T23s are going out of service without replacement lies squarely at their feet!

This UK government has retired two frigates, two assault ships and two minehunters to cut the fleet and its costs. This fleet and its poor ship availability is down to decisions of the present government.

@brexitblog_info We have zero need for aircraft carriers in relation to the current conflict. We have a large unsinkable carrier called RAF Akrotiri in the region.

Whatever happened to our two aircraft carriers? Commissioned by Blair at a cost of over £6 billion (excluding aircraft). They’ve been invisible during this conflict. How did that happen?

@Pacman271 @afneil We had 8 T23 with tails fitted, the remaining 5 did not initially but as shown the kit can be moved and fitted to the others, unfortunately we only have 7 T23 remaining now with spare towed arrays awaiting T26 to enter service.

@afneil For ASW it is the towed array sonar that is the primary tool used to search out subs alongside a Merlin with a dipping sonar. Only 8 T23 have this ability (towed sonar) & T45 does not have it at all. The hull sonar is now deemed not necessary by the RN as per T31 spec

I agree. So best delete your post to minimise looking foolish. Read and learn: Type 45 destroyers are not primarily designed or used for anti-submarine warfare (ASW). They are specialist anti-air warfare (AAW) platforms, with the Sea Viper system and multi-function radar to defend task groups against aircraft, missiles, and drones. They do have limited ASW features. But they are secondary and constrained, such as hull-mounted sonar (you mention), though that is mainly for torpedo warnings. It is not as capable or optimised for offensive ASW as the sonars on dedicated ASW frigates like Type 23s. Nor do they carry any shipboard ASW weapons. You’re welcome.

@RespectIsVital Also worth pointing out for those not familiar with their Naval history that the Cromarty Firth was a key deep water anchorage during both World Wars, it has the space, it has the depth and is very defensible.

Most of Britain's naval bases capable of docking warships safely are in the South of England. HMS St Albans docked in Invergordon last month. We now know she was on her way to monitor Russian submarine activity over UK undersea cables. HMS Queen Elizabeth has called twice to Invergordon in recent years. Including once to be repaired by local ship workers. HMS Spey had her commissioning ceremony in Invergordon in 2022. It's nonsensical we have no purpose built naval infrastructure here for ships patrolling the North Sea. If, as Defence Secretary @JohnHealey_MP says, there will likrly be increased Russian activity in the northern UK EEZ waters, it would be nice if the ports supporting the @RoyalNavy on an increasingly frequent basis, such as Invergordon, got some financial support and purpose built infrastructure instead of the hotch potch of ideas they come up with when a ship does call. @CromartyFirth @Jamie4North

@thinkdefence A massive pay rise for the RFA, probably double their pay in fact! Then with the remaining 9.8Bil probably sort out a lot of the fitted for but not with things, to have the things.

You have been given an extra ten billion quid a year for defence, what you buying?

@Whitelabelhrp @dresserman Minor point there being that unlike Tesco, Asda primarily uses pallets for replenishment not roll cages so tend to have a far higher number pump trucks in store.

@dresserman Tesco did this about 10 - 15 years ago when I worked there. They switched back to shelving within a couple of years. One reason was the issues these caused in warehouses, as you got less stock per sq metre in comparison to stock on taller roll cages

It's starting at Asda...... Mega simple, great for customers.

@thinkdefence Moving at pace whilst achieving nothing?

The Defence Investment Plan is going to be a masterclass in...

@kelvmackenzie You mean so secretly that we know it's in Souda Bay, alongside the French carrier?

Starmer is sunk. HMS Dragon, ( it arrived so late to “ defend” our Navy became a global laughing stock) has abandoned its role and go into a secret port for repairs. Surely we can’t take anymore embarrassment under these Labour tossers.

@afneil It's in Souda Bay alongside the French Aircraft Carrier, I'm sure the French are having a meltdown over this. Good to see everyone becoming experts in Naval warfare and ship deployments, apparently.

Well there’s a surprise: HMS Dragon, the only Royal Navy warship deployed to the region during the conflict with Iran, has taken to port for maintenance. The Type 45 destroyer, the only one the Royal Navy had available, headed for the East Mediterranean weeks after the fighting began — and took its time getting there. The Ministry of Defence, which originally denied any problems, now says there are water supply issues. So it’s gone to a safe berth to undergo repairs. No doubt the full story will emerge in the days ahead.

@ModernNavy @DEFENSEEXPRESS @RoyalNavy @DefenceHQ @CommonsDefence Incorrect, she was store robbed of parts to keep other ships operational for several years, her actual refit was to bring her back to operational status including the Power Improvement Plan for engine upgrades. The issue we should be highlighting is the lack of spare parts!

Nine years in refit! HMS DARING is nearly ready to rejoin the fleet @DEFENSEEXPRESS @ModernNavy @RoyalNavy @DefenceHQ @CommonsDefence en.defence-ua.com/analysis/uk_to…

Yesterday #wind produced 49.0% of GB electricity, more than nuclear 18.4%, gas 11.5%, imports 11.5%, solar 5.8%, biomass 3.7%, hydro 0.0%, *excl. non-renewable distributed generation

🇩🇪 BREAKING: Germany is moving to mass-produce the Skynex air defense system and Skyranger air defense system gun-based air defense systems. Shahed-style drone attacks are pushing Europe toward the short-range anti-drone layer already used in combat in Ukraine, according to reports from UNITED24.

The option is clearly there for a common 30mm system for the Army and Navy, same barrels and ammunition, reduced R&D and procurement costs, yet no one at the MoD seems to be looking at cross service procurement.

@QuietSupporter Use T31 for actual warship tasks, forward deploy a pair to Gib and Far East, bring 3 of the 5 B2 Rivers back to UK waters to cover the loss of B1 Rivers (plus MCMVs, Echo, Enterprise etc.)

@JonoCC Why spend the cost and crew on an ill suited T31? We should be building a MHPC Sloop but we’ve robbed Peter to pay Paul and Paul has spent it on crap.

The Batch 1 Rivers have served admirably; they do however need to be replaced, something which the MoD should be well advaned on (they aren't). Options include: No replacement (most lilkey) Additional T31 order (2-3 at most) New design (Arrowhead 120 to derisk Swedish order)

@FamilyofJacks Increased T31 numbers would allow most of the B2 Rivers to return to UK waters for constabulary duties with a T31 deployed to both Gib and Far East.

@JonoCC The problem with using additional Type-31’s to replace Batch 1 River-Class is the mainly the cost difference 1 Type-31 cost nearly the same as 2 Batch River-Class. It would be better idea to replace all Rivers with one design. Like a Multi-Purpose Corvette like vessel.

@PaulKennard18 @thinkdefence They've operated QRA during runway maintenance at Lossie so a couple of HAS at the QRA site appear to be fine, the remainder are unclear with the Army using some for storage.

@JonoCC @thinkdefence Runways and manoeuvring areas not the issue, the condition of the old Hardened PBFs and HAS complexes might need some work….

Selling off RAF Macrahanish was really rather misguided wasn't it

@PaulKennard18 @thinkdefence Leuchars was used for exercises last week, it’s also the diversion for Lossie so is generally in good condition.

@thinkdefence Take a look at what the US are doing on Tinian. Kinloss, Leuchars, Honington, and Woodbridge could be reactivated quickly for military aircraft (esp RW & Tac AT). Bentwaters, Upper Heyford, Sculthorpe, Wethersfield & a few others if needed & ACE /STO kit actually bought...

@navalhistorian @BAES_Maritime @HarlandWolffplc or perhaps the Vlissingen class to be an OPV/MCMV or even a new light frigate based upon the Arrowhead 120, so many options and yet nothing.

What this needed to be accompanied by (or very much preceded by, given lead/build times), was an announcement of an order for a third batch of River Class from @BAES_Maritime, or some Meteoro Class from @HarlandWolffPLC, or participation in the Norwegian P118 programme, or...🤦‍♂️

Lower unit costs will hopefully help MoD budget issues but lets not get ahead of ourselves with dreams of increased orders for the RN.