UK Defence Force General discussion

[Sandhi Yudha]

How long can Argus keep going? She is nearly 45 years old, and I bet her designed life as Contender Bezant was a lot less than that. If she goes without replacement, the UK will effectively have less amphibious capability than Australia.

According to this article she has to stay in service until at least 2030.

The oldest ship in the Royal Naval Service to become the new Littoral Strike Ship | Navy Lookout

www.navylookout.com

If i am not wrong the Albions will be taken out of service next year. In my opinion the best thing they can do is to convert one of these two into a replacement for the Argus. The Albions are actually still too young for retirement.

 

[Redlands18]

According to this article she has to stay in service until at least 2030.

The oldest ship in the Royal Naval Service to become the new Littoral Strike Ship | Navy Lookout

www.navylookout.com

If i am not wrong the Albions will be taken out of service next year. In my opinion the best thing they can do is to convert one of these two into a replacement for the Argus. The Albions are actually still too young for retirement.

Crewing may be an issue, Albion currently operates with a crew of 300+, Argus 80 RFA, 30 RN and trainees.

 

[downunderblue]

Trouble brewing as fiscal limitations compete against geopolitical reality?

Keir Starmer summons UK defence chiefs in tussle over spending

"One person close to the negotiations said: “The chiefs want a budget of 2.65 per cent of GDP but the Treasury is adamant that they should work to 2.3 per cent.” A second official confirmed the gap between the two sides, which amounts to about £10bn a year. Starmer’s allies say the prime minister will not budge from Labour’s manifesto commitment to set out a “pathway” to spend 2.5 per cent of Britain’s GDP on defence. But he has refused to say when spending would hit this level, leaving forces complaining about a significant short-term squeeze. “There will be real cuts,” said a person close to the talks".

 

[swerve]

According to this article she has to stay in service until at least 2030.

The oldest ship in the Royal Naval Service to become the new Littoral Strike Ship | Navy Lookout

www.navylookout.com

If i am not wrong the Albions will be taken out of service next year. In my opinion the best thing they can do is to convert one of these two into a replacement for the Argus. The Albions are actually still too young for retirement.

They don't have hangars, which'd limit their ability to do some of what Argus does. That reminds me that we're disposing of almost all our ships with the ability to operate & support more than one helicopter. We now have the two aircraft carriers, Argus, & Fort Victoria.

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

Prime Minister sets out biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, protecting British people in new era for national security

The Prime Minister has today (Tuesday 25 February) set out his commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027.

www.gov.uk

• UK defence spending to rise 2.5% of GDP by 2027
• An "ambition" to increase it to 3% of GDP in the next parliament (2028/9 onwards)

A significant development. Defence spending probably needs to rise above 2.5%, but the increases will start almost immediately so that is good. Will be interesting to see what the strategic review says the extra money should be spend on (other than SSN-AUKUS and GCAP).

 

[T.C.P]

Prime Minister sets out biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, protecting British people in new era for national security

The Prime Minister has today (Tuesday 25 February) set out his commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027.

www.gov.uk

• UK defence spending to rise 2.5% of GDP by 2027
• An "ambition" to increase it to 3% of GDP in the next parliament (2028/9 onwards)

A significant development. Defence spending probably needs to rise above 2.5%, but the increases will start almost immediately so that is good. Will be interesting to see what the strategic review says the extra money should be spend on (other than SSN-AUKUS and GCAP).

F-35As lets go!!!!!!!!!
Is there any smoke in the UK about a new Tyohoon order? all the other participating nations placed new orders recently.

 

[SammyC]

It's good to see defence increases starting to be formalised. Note the UK previously spent about 2.3% of GDP, so this announcement is a 0.2% uptick, equating to about 5 billion pounds.

Probably not enough for a fleet of F35s, but definitely enough to pay better wages, and replenish basic tactical equipment.