Money saved by pushing Ajax into the long grass while panicking about what to buy instead?
British Army News and Discussion
- Thread starter RobWilliams
- Start date
How about some links then. You've been on here long enough to know the rules.
Defence review: British army to be cut to 72,500 troops by 2025
A review of the UK's defence policy brings new investment in cyber warfare, robotics and drones.
www.bbc.com
Which features the following statement - "The size of the Army will be at its smallest since 1714 - with just 72,500 regular soldiers.
The number of tanks will be cut from 227 to 148 upgraded ones. The RAF will lose 24 of its older Typhoon jets and its fleet of Hercules transport aircraft. And the Royal Navy will be retiring two of its older frigates early before new ones come into service.
All this while the government says the threats are rising."
This article was published in March 2021. I'm particularly interested in whether the Ukraine invasion has given the UK govt pause on any of this?
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Good that's better thank you. The Pommy government on its holy mission to persevere the great and glorious BritishDefence review: British army to be cut to 72,500 troops by 2025
A review of the UK's defence policy brings new investment in cyber warfare, robotics and drones.
Which features the following statement - "The size of the Army will be at its smallest since 1714 - with just 72,500 regular soldiers.
The number of tanks will be cut from 227 to 148 upgraded ones. The RAF will lose 24 of its older Typhoon jets and its fleet of Hercules transport aircraft. And the Royal Navy will be retiring two of its older frigates early before new ones come into service.
All this while the government says the threats are rising."
This article was published in March. I'm particularly interested in whether the Ukraine invasion has given the UK govt pause on any of this?
The short answer is not really. The Conservatives made a manifesto pledge to annually increase defence spending 0.5% above inflation. The current inflation has probably killed that, despite pushback from the top brass and Defence Minister.
A lot of the recent British Army restructuring has been with a view to greater emphasis on foreign partner force training and defence engagement. So far it looks as though Britain is going to use economic and financial measures, and provision of intelligence and training to deal with conflict abroad. This has historically been a common policy for England/Britain to use in relation to continental European conflicts, albeit with a much greater naval force than the UK has at present.
Boris Johnson seeks to defuse row over abandoning defence spending pledge
PM insists manifesto promise of above-inflation increase will be kept despite Downing Street ‘reality check’ briefing
www.theguardian.com
Just noticed today on MSN news that the UK army is taking 60 Challenger2 tanks out of storage
It appears that the current situation in Ukraine has lead to this. I would think that the constant cutting of combat vehicals that has happened over recent years has finally caught up with the pollies and a bit of common cense may prevail, "MAYBE?"
MSN
www.msn.com
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Real question is will they have the tankies to crew them? That Army has sustained what some would call significant personnel cuts in recent years and tankies aren't people who you can recruit qualified from civvy street.
Maybe they will use a shortened Russian training method to overcome this problem
Don't think they even have the time for that at moment. They're to busy changing Prime Ministers. They should ask the Australians for advice in that matter because the Aussies have plenty of experience in that areaMaybe they will use a shortened Russian training method to overcome this problem
Redlands18
Well-Known Member
Who could replace Liz Truss? These are the top contenders to be the third British PM in seven weeks - ABC NewsDon't think they even have the time for that at moment. They're to busy changing Prime Ministers. They should ask the Australians for advice in that matter because the Aussies have plenty of experience in that area
Even Australia hasn't sacked one then contemplated recalling them 6 weeks later.
Ok, how about London bus drivers to drive the thing and the old ticket collectors to load the gun leaves only the gnner and commander to trainDon't think they even have the time for that at moment. They're to busy changing Prime Ministers. They should ask the Australians for advice in that matter because the Aussies have plenty of experience in that area
I think if the Army started paying tankies at Transport for London salaries it would blow out the budget.Ok, how about London bus drivers to drive the thing and the old ticket collectors to load the gun leaves only the gnner and commander to train
FormerDirtDart
Well-Known Member
Seems by the article they are simply exercising their prepositioned stocks in Germany.
Good thing to keep the vehicles serviceable. And it's probably a crapload easier to just transport the troops to the exercise while not having to rai and/or boat the vehicles to Germany & east.
The UK buys "several thousand" NLAWs in a new $280 million contract, deliveries for 2024 - 2026. UK buys 'several thousand' NLAW anti-tank missiles in $280 million deal with Saab - Breaking Defense
In a separate procurement, 500 NLAWs will be delivered to the UK in 2023.
Most likely these orders are to compensate for what has been shipped to Ukraine: British Army rockets donated to Ukraine are yet to be replaced
In a separate procurement, 500 NLAWs will be delivered to the UK in 2023.
Most likely these orders are to compensate for what has been shipped to Ukraine: British Army rockets donated to Ukraine are yet to be replaced
Not unless they are Volvo drivers
That's a terrible suggestion.
The rumours of 10 Challenger 2s for Ukraine, seem to have been confirmed as a squadron of 14. The source below suggests that a number of the 227 built are not fit for duty, which is no surprise. I think there are 3 regiments still properly equipped with them and FormerDirtDart posted above about 60 being taken out of storage to pre-position in Europe - which I assume to be in addition to those? So, as much as I'd like to see more go to Ukraine, it doesn't seem like there are many others available. Is anybody able to give any clarity on this? Is it perhaps a case of 14 now and more later to enable ongoing announcements of help to Ukraine?
news.sky.com
.
Ukraine war: UK reveals number of tanks to be sent to Kyiv for first time
Britain's decision to provide Ukraine marks the first time a Western country has provided Ukraine with tanks, and will likely be seen in Moscow as an escalation. But it is hoped that it will encourage other allies to bolster their military aid to Kyiv.
news.sky.com
There are also thirty AS-90 self-propelled guns with the Challenger 2 package
Live blog: UK to send Challenger 2 tanks, AS-90s guns to Ukraine (trtworld.com)
Live blog: UK to send Challenger 2 tanks, AS-90s guns to Ukraine (trtworld.com)
Not 227 built: the British army received 386. 227 is the number still in service. Some of the others were converted to other uses, but I don't know what has happened to over 100 of the 386. The report may have confused number still in the UK's possession with the 227 still officially in service.The rumours of 10 Challenger 2s for Ukraine, seem to have been confirmed as a squadron of 14. The source below suggests that a number of the 227 built are not fit for duty, which is no surprise. I think there are 3 regiments still properly equipped with them and FormerDirtDart posted above about 60 being taken out of storage to pre-position in Europe - which I assume to be in addition to those? So, as much as I'd like to see more go to Ukraine, it doesn't seem like there are many others available. Is anybody able to give any clarity on this? Is it perhaps a case of 14 now and more later to enable ongoing announcements of help to Ukraine?
.Ukraine war: UK reveals number of tanks to be sent to Kyiv for first time
Britain's decision to provide Ukraine marks the first time a Western country has provided Ukraine with tanks, and will likely be seen in Moscow as an escalation. But it is hoped that it will encourage other allies to bolster their military aid to Kyiv.
Shanesworld
Well-Known Member
I thought the more concerning aspect was they only bought 180 AS90'S. Loosing 30 seems abit drastic.
But is just an eclectic fleet a prudent thing for ukraine? Now that Ukraine is not as likely to be crushed wouldnt it be more in ukraines best interests to supply more focus fleets of 1 or 2 types per vehicle type?