Can relate to the above. The billions we spent in Afghanistan could certainly have been beneficial for capital acquisitions. The deteriorating situation there after all the blood and treasure makes it even more depressing.
Surface might be a tad hard :dance
THIS was posted on Facebook, by Navy News, earlier this morning...
"THE first of the Navy’s next-generation frigates will be laid down before the month is out after a £3.7bn order was placed for three Type 26s.
Whitehall today signed a contract with BAE to deliver the first batch of ‘global combat ships’ – the first three of eight vessels which will replace the equivalent number of specialist submarine-hunting Type 23 frigates.
Yards at Govan and Scotstoun on the Clyde will be responsible for building and fitting out the trio, with the first of the as-yet-unnamed class entering service in the mid-2020s.
What we will get for our £3.7bn are three warships 60ft longer, 2,000 tonnes heavier than their predecessors, equipped with bow and towed array sonar, Sea Ceptor air defence missiles, a 5in main gun as the RN’s trusty 4.5in is retired after decades of faithful service, a ‘mission bay’ for ‘plug in’ containers containing equipment for specific tasks, such as disaster relief, and a flight deck big enough to take a Chinook (though Merlin and Wildcat will be more common).
In due course, firepower will be bolstered by the ‘future offensive surface weapon’ – the missile currently being developed to replace the obsolescent Harpoon.
Typically just 157 men and women – 30-40 fewer than a Type 23 – will run these ships, but there will be space aboard for up to 208 souls.
The 26s are expected to serve for at least 25 years, take the RN to the cusp of the 2060s.
In addition, five general duty frigates – Type 31s – which will replace the five non-submarine-hunting 23s remain earmarked under the 2015 Defence Review.
“This is the start of a programme of anti-submarine ships which will form the mainstay of the Royal Navy’s frigate fore for decades to come,” said Rear Admiral Chris Gardner, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Ships).
Work on Ship 2 is due to start in two years’ time with No.3 laid down in 2021. Their names – and their base ports – have yet to be decided.
The hulls will be built at Govan, then moved downstream to Scotstoun for fitting out and testing.
Of the 13 Type 23 frigates currently in service, the oldest, HMS Argyll, is due to pay off in 2023; the youngest, St Albans, will conduct patrols at home and aboard until 2035.
That is when construction of their successors will be completed; the Type 26 is intended to keep the Clyde yards busy until the mid-2030s with the order for the second batch of five ships placed next decade.
The work will support and sustain 3,400 jobs – half in the shipyards, half in the supply chain providing parts and equipment such as radar built on the Isle of Wight and the submarine-hunting towed array sonar from Manchester. "
THIS appeared at the same time...
Type 26: The MoD has just made a big announcement about the new Navy frigates | Plymouth Herald
As most Sunday newspapers go to print around 10 pm on a Saturday night in the UK, It may only be on their online content, so should hopefully be a news item tomorrow....
Looks like I may have a job from now till I retire !
SA
THIS was posted on Facebook, by Navy News, earlier this morning...
"THE first of the Navy’s next-generation frigates will be laid down before the month is out after a £3.7bn order was placed for three Type 26s.
Whitehall today signed a contract with BAE to deliver the first batch of ‘global combat ships’ – the first three of eight vessels which will replace the equivalent number of specialist submarine-hunting Type 23 frigates.
Yards at Govan and Scotstoun on the Clyde will be responsible for building and fitting out the trio, with the first of the as-yet-unnamed class entering service in the mid-2020s.
What we will get for our £3.7bn are three warships 60ft longer, 2,000 tonnes heavier than their predecessors, equipped with bow and towed array sonar, Sea Ceptor air defence missiles, a 5in main gun as the RN’s trusty 4.5in is retired after decades of faithful service, a ‘mission bay’ for ‘plug in’ containers containing equipment for specific tasks, such as disaster relief, and a flight deck big enough to take a Chinook (though Merlin and Wildcat will be more common).
In due course, firepower will be bolstered by the ‘future offensive surface weapon’ – the missile currently being developed to replace the obsolescent Harpoon.
Typically just 157 men and women – 30-40 fewer than a Type 23 – will run these ships, but there will be space aboard for up to 208 souls.
The 26s are expected to serve for at least 25 years, take the RN to the cusp of the 2060s.
In addition, five general duty frigates – Type 31s – which will replace the five non-submarine-hunting 23s remain earmarked under the 2015 Defence Review.
“This is the start of a programme of anti-submarine ships which will form the mainstay of the Royal Navy’s frigate fore for decades to come,” said Rear Admiral Chris Gardner, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Ships).
Work on Ship 2 is due to start in two years’ time with No.3 laid down in 2021. Their names – and their base ports – have yet to be decided.
The hulls will be built at Govan, then moved downstream to Scotstoun for fitting out and testing.
Of the 13 Type 23 frigates currently in service, the oldest, HMS Argyll, is due to pay off in 2023; the youngest, St Albans, will conduct patrols at home and aboard until 2035.
That is when construction of their successors will be completed; the Type 26 is intended to keep the Clyde yards busy until the mid-2030s with the order for the second batch of five ships placed next decade.
The work will support and sustain 3,400 jobs – half in the shipyards, half in the supply chain providing parts and equipment such as radar built on the Isle of Wight and the submarine-hunting towed array sonar from Manchester. "
THIS appeared at the same time...
Type 26: The MoD has just made a big announcement about the new Navy frigates | Plymouth Herald
As most Sunday newspapers go to print around 10 pm on a Saturday night in the UK, It may only be on their online content, so should hopefully be a news item tomorrow....
Looks like I may have a job from now till I retire !
SA
Can't hurt and the same can be said for our CSC project. The UK start for Type 26 is an important factor for the CSC decision which was supposed to be June, now August and recent complaints by one major vendor may push the date further out. The complaints involved Canadian modifications which almost amount to a new design. (I think most mods are addressed by the Type 26 which is why other vendors aren't happy, the tender called for proven designs originally). The other issue is IP rights demanded by the Canadian government. This is a more significant problem.
Had a look thru both BAE & the RN's press releases on their websites, there is NOTHING resembling comments about Type 31.
I got to say, having a whole new hull design to save some coin seems suspect, if all goes well, you might be able to save some in the short term, but long term I think the value is dubious. Unless you can get the size down to require smaller engines, smaller mech services, etc its only going to be tiny savings. Then you introduce new logistical headaches.Who knows, they may find a few £Billion lying around to build MORE T26's...?
SA
I'm still cautious about the T26 for the RAN. All is not rosey and BAE seem to have undue influence over both the design and build cycle and cost gauging is apparent. If those costs are carried over to a build in Australia we may see budget pressure reducing numbers despite every assurance to the contrary
THIS was posted on Facebook, by Navy News, earlier this morning...
"
Looks like I may have a job from now till I retire !
SA