tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835455773953043846.post474338330829273605..comments2024-01-12T18:59:05.080+00:00Comments on Defence With A "C": The SDSR 2015Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835455773953043846.post-53142097266266999172015-11-27T17:11:56.776+00:002015-11-27T17:11:56.776+00:00Hello anon,
For your two questions;
1) I think t...Hello anon,<br /><br />For your two questions;<br /><br />1) I think the roles of Argus and Diligence, if continued beyond the current ships, would probably be better suited to something designed more with that purpose in mind, even if it means say grabbing used commercial vessels which have the requisite space and approximate layout needed. I'm not sure the MARS design would adapt well to those two quite unique roles.<br /><br />2) If you used one of the battalions of Rifles to do an engineer task, what do you do with the engineer battalions cap badge? You have the same problem again. I appreciate that there is a certain level of esprit d'corps to be had from certain histories, but then if the army moved to an all "large" system with non-geographic titles it would a) still have histories to aspire to and b) probably function on a day to day basis in exactly the same manner as it does today. I can sympathise with some peoples view that it's a blow to morale when a regimental history dies, but I think one big overhaul that fixes the problem for a long time is better than a constant stream of smaller blows coupled with the twitching bums all round that occurs each time a defence review comes around.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18182426936194426623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835455773953043846.post-1116393817443748632015-11-27T11:53:49.261+00:002015-11-27T11:53:49.261+00:00Thanks for that summary... was a very interesting ...Thanks for that summary... was a very interesting read.<br /><br />I actually woke up with more optimism the day after SDSR 2015 then I did with the previous SDSR. There were some unexpected but welcome decisions [high on my list was the retention of the C130Js]<br /><br />but what it certainly lacked was a sense of urgency.<br /><br />1] you mentioned the chuckles about the 'rapid response' strike brigade. I do fear that we will only ever see the brigade as the PowerPoint efforts of a fast-rising 1* before its all change again in 2020 ...<br /><br />2] the purchase of P8 is a necessary step to fill the capability gap but Cameron has said that 'he hopes to have three operational by the end of the parliament." Surely they could invite the US to immediately base a small flight at the RAF station likely to receive the UK's squadron and rotate back some of the seedcorn veterans to make up a majority of the crew. This would give an early capability and allow faster integration...<br /><br />3] the first T26 likely IOC to be 2025? Frankly that is absurd [almost the equivalent of two WW2's?!] While I really hope that the Royal Navy do see an increase in high-end escorts come 2030, there is still way too much room for subsequent reductions. You read from well informed sources that there are issues with the design but how long have the T26 been in the planning already, for it to take another decade before the first one is accepted by the RN. <br /><br />So sense of urgency, the true missing element from the SDSR!<br /><br />Finally a couple of questions...<br /><br />1] Pleased to know that MARS SSS is now likely to move forward...but do you think they could use the economy of scale argument and extend the buy to 4/5 ships to be configured as replacements for Argus/Diligence...so same hull, same propulsion, same C2C, same crew accommodation, just about the same everything that can get away with... <br /><br />2] I might disagree with you about issues around 'cap badges' [I think there is a strong argument for at least a tier of 'regional' based recruitment and the 'history' of regiment is not to be entirely dismissed. But I would ask is there any reason why a regiment, for example the The Rifles, could not 'loose' a battalion as infantry but keep all the 'golden thread' of that regiment but stand it up as a Combat Engineer battalion [yes suitably trained etc etc] ... the army gets the CS personnel it needs and no one is upset about the loss of another cap badge.<br /><br />I have similar thoughts about a flight of typhoons permanently based in the US on an aggressor 'tasking' ... <br /><br />look forward to your views...<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com