Don't come on here talking sense doogz!!

BTW, LB02 is being loaded today, 4 days early and will leave Pompey next Monday 4 days early

Which means I'll get to see it depart before I go on holiday.

Cool. The tide up here is much more restrictive than I'd imagine it is down there, in terms of getting things in and out of the river, and on and off of the berth, leaving early isn't really an option, when the tide you need only comes around every fortnight or so.

Very true, the shed empties straight into a none-tidal basin, and the harbour at high tide can take all ship movements (continental ferries 3x a day regardless of tide) means that we can move pretty much at will.

It's still good news though. LB04 will be the most impressive move.

Well, the Navy has half a Dozen T45's, 2 of which have still to be commissioned, a pair of T42's, 13 T23's, a chopper carrier, an amphibious assault ship (Ocean), 4 Vanguards, 6 Trafalgars, Astute 1 is in service, with another 6 on the way.

Then there's the contract for T26. I doubt they'll build as many as 18, but maybe a dozen of them.

So, a few boats then.

All we can hope is that with the defence budget more *stabilised* and hopefully no more nasty shocks for the economy that the navy budget gets seen to to fill the operational holes and the top brass realise that so many admirals etc aren't doing their image much good.

How much of it did they end up getting out, i didnt see it after 3pm, and im not in tomorrow to see them finish it off if it hasnt been done already

Should have a nice close view of it going out on monday though

Commonality of hulls, systems and to some degree engineering gear would just make too much sense though you would be able to transfer crews from ship to ship with a minimum of fuss.

Some RFA and some of the lesser Royal navy ships are equipped with Close in Weapon Systems, and have helicopters operating so can also contribute, quite effectively, to the defence of said carrier.

I never understand the relevance of this comment. you dont have to be a Captain to be CO of a RN Vessel, some of the smaller ships have a Commander or even Lt Cdr as CO. Assuming by "Admiral" you are refering to Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, Admiral and Admiral of the Fleet, then yes, of course "there are more Admirals than Ships". The equivilent in the Army is anyone more senior than Major General and yes we have more Brigadiers than Brigades (though thats not particularly hard) but the experience and knowledge an Admiral has acquired over a 40 year career in the RN means it would be pointless to make them leave just becuase there is no Ship for them to sail would be mental. Of course, many go up to town and work in Whitehall and that has its faults!....

Highly unlikely I would think, cant really see how they would work in a defensive role. Can they even carry any anti-ship weapons? How would an apache fair against a fast jet or anti-missile (cruise or otherwise)? ASW?


Them being on Ocean and RFAs as used in libya for anti-armor and land attack is all I can see them being used for after the naval rating.