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Hertston -> RE: British aircraft carriers delayed (12/12/2008 8:52:07 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: PongoDeMer
Currently the R.N. is down to (I believe) 22 frigates and destroyers, a couple of through deck (almost) aircraft carriers and 8 attack submarines. What those numbers will be when/if the two new carriers eventually come into commission is anybody's guess[:(]
Indeed, although the numbers can't sink any lower while remaining a viable force. That's about enough to protect one carrier, allowing for refits and other essential tasks.
In all honesty, though, I do have to ask what a larger Navy would actually be used for. After Korea the RN's principle concern became anti-Soviet operations; particularly ASW in the GUIK gap. Even with a more aggressive 'Putinesque' Russia, that threat no longer exists and in all probability never will. The carriers were an essential buy (and there should have been three, not two) as in the short/medium term the obvious requirement is fast force projection with a punch globally that at present we just don't have. Delaying the carriers won't hurt much, partly because we already know the RN JSF won't be ready in time anyway, but mostly because a couple of years beforehand might provide time to think over and solve problems that would probably have resulted in several years delay and a huge overspend, as with the Astute class boats.
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