exellent news a LONG TIME COMMING also all the ports are staying open huzzar
The video is about 18 months old, apparently, & since no decision had been made, why not just show the current helciopters?This is really good news, at last.
The video they issued with the press release suggests that MASC is still going to be provided by Sea Kings. I hope that really isn't the case
now that is intersting that the UK project when't ahead when once it was 3 hulls or nothing now the UK is going ahead of the French. Also it was good to hear that the rubbish of worksharing the carriers was binnied.Sat in Riyadh with my arms folded.
Read the statement this afternoon, good...
But as a BAE employee and shareholder, I have one question which seems to be constantly avoided.
What of the French?
I almost wish BKNO was not banned at this stage as he made quite a few statements claiming the French were being held up by the UK in respect of PA2 (along with a few other nationliastic comments). That is now proven beyond doubt to be rubbish.now that is intersting that the UK project when't ahead when once it was 3 hulls or nothing now the UK is going ahead of the French. Also it was good to hear that the rubbish of worksharing the carriers was binnied.
Sarko meant to deside the future of PA2 in 2008
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com...n-defense-after-electoral-stumble-03401/#more
also even if the desion in 2008 it be very close to the SLEP of CdG. it would be a struggle to get in servise in time
but it could be cut as the french are softening on defence sinse the parlimentery elections
and loweing the genral percentage of defence to under 2%
Great news!Des Browne has announced an order for 2 x 65,000 tonne aircraft carriers - HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22136593-1702,00.htmlFont Size: Decrease Increase Print Page: Print From correspondents in London | July 26, 2007
BRITAIN will build two new aircraft carriers costing £3.9 billion ($9.15 billion) in a project which will support 10,000 British jobs over the next ten years, the government announced overnight.
Defence Secretary Des Browne told parliament that two carriers have yet to be ordered, but would enter service in 2014 and 2016.
The carriers will be built by an alliance comprising Babcock, BAE, Thales and VT Group, and the Ministry of Defence, an MoD spokeswoman said.
"I am pleased to be able to confirm today that we will now place orders for two 65,000 tonne aircraft carriers to provide our front-line forces with the modern, world class capabilities they will need over the coming decades," Mr Browne said.
The carriers, to be named HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, deliver on a government promise set out in 1998, he said.
"The carriers represent a step change in our capability, enabling us to deliver increased strategic effect and influence around the world at a time and place of our choosing," Mr Browne said.
"They will be a key component of the improved expeditionary capabilities we need to confront the diverse range of threats in today's security environment."
Mr Browne also announced that British defence company BAE and shipbuilder VT Group would form a joint venture in naval shipbuilding and support, which is clearly linked to their involvement in the aircraft carrier alliance.
BAE chief executive Mike Turner welcomed the government's pledge to build the carriers.
"This is a significant milestone for the UK maritime industrial sector and will help retain critical areas of expertise in the UK," Mr Turner said.
Meanwhile, Mr Browne said that as part of the project, the MoD would continue to seek closer cooperation with France.
"We will continue to work closely with France," he said.
"Our industries are now exploring further opportunities for mutual benefit, including joint procurements of equipment for the carriers, and shared support arrangements," he said.
"We look forward to making a joint announcement on further cooperation in the next few months."
Apart from France, Russia and perhaps China, who will build their own, I think the design is too large and expensive for other 'carrier' navies wanting and able to afford new vessels.I was wondering about the export potential of this design.A number of nations operate harrier carriers and I was wondering how many shar type aircraft would fit on this carrier.
Great to see that Type 45 destroyers number 7 and 8 are still planned. I agree about the urgency of new Merlins for the RMs and I would also like to see additional F-35Bs to enable each carrier to operate to its full potential.According to the Telegraph:
"It also appeared that the Navy will receive all eight of the advanced anti-air Type 45 destroyers that will be vital in protecting the carriers, defence sources said. But they did not give full backing to the third tranche of 88 RAF Eurofighter Typhoons, suggesting that the £60 million aircraft might be sacrificed.
The cancelling of the third tranche of 88 Eurofighters will not be a great loss assuming we get enough F35's. I would rather see the latter and a much need replacement of the RM lift with Merlin.
Agreed, especially as the RAF was only planning to establish 7 Eurofighter squadrons and put the balance of the aircraft (the equivalent of slightly more than the entire 3rd trance) on storage and rotate them through the fleet to extend service life.The cancelling of the third tranche of 88 Eurofighters will not be a great loss assuming we get enough F35's. I would rather see the latter and a much need replacement of the RM lift with Merlin.
same i herd the same thing about T3 Typhoons and how they were in the contractIs there not a contractual obligation to buy all 232 ? I am sure I have read this from various sources in recent years
As far as I'm aware the project is owned by the participating nations. If all agree to cancel their third tranches then they cannot be forced to buy. If only one nation cancelled then there'd be a problem as it would mess up the manufacturing work allocation.Is there not a contractual obligation to buy all 232 ? I am sure I have read this from various sources in recent years
The participating nations own the project, but they have contractual obligations both to each other (which means any variations to contracts must be agreed by all of them), & to the manufacturers. T3 hasn't yet been ordered, but I think it'd cost something, even if all the buyers cancelled.As far as I'm aware the project is owned by the participating nations. If all agree to cancel their third tranches then they cannot be forced to buy. If only one nation cancelled then there'd be a problem as it would mess up the manufacturing work allocation.
Given that Germany, Spain and (especially) Italy are all having defense budget problems, I think an all-party cancellation is realistic. ...
WillS
I doubt that all 88 would be cancelled. It appears participating states want to reduce Tranche 3, not axe it completely. This would still tie the UK to buying some, as it would incur penalties if it couldn't agree a reduction with those other countries. However any reduction would save a considerable amount of money.But they did not give full backing to the third tranche of 88 RAF Eurofighter Typhoons, suggesting that the £60 million aircraft might be sacrificed.
Yes, thinking about it I'm sure you're right. Pity, must've been wishful thinking on my partThe participating nations own the project, but they have contractual obligations both to each other (which means any variations to contracts must be agreed by all of them), & to the manufacturers. T3 hasn't yet been ordered, but I think it'd cost something, even if all the buyers cancelled.
The last reports on the matter suggested all the partners were feeling a pinch in their budgets as a result of Tranche 3. That would suggest they are willing to reduce it - that doesn't mean they want to slash it. We shall see.I am not confident the T-3 batch will suffer or suffer significantly.
8 would be fine. Sure we'd love to see 12, but 8 would be enough.8 type 45s would be the minimum requirment. However, i am not confindent we'd see anymore after 8 are built if indeed the number reachs 8.
I don't think the Royal Navy will go down the FREMM route. Maybe if the Type-23s needed replacing right now, it would have been a strong possibility. But I think they'll be able to carry on through the next decade. By then FREMM might look a little dated.I hope the next future surface combatant the RN are planning has some real firepower. However, i see the RN with a british 'verison' of FREMM.