UK Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Nov 27, 2017
Wednesday at 8:24 PM

while Ministry of Defence braced for 'brutal' cuts in security review
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Spin Doctors probably still working on turning cuts into an unprecedented success ...:
National Security:Written question - 117954
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Asked on: 06 December 2017
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he expects the review of the National Security Strategy to be published.

Answered on: 12 December 2017
The review of our national security capabilities is currently taking place in support of the ongoing implementation of the 2015 National Security Strategy (NSS) and Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). Ministers will consider the conclusions of the review in due course.
 

philbob

New Member
I got to ask what the hell is wrong with the UK and its military? France despite all the jokes about it can manage a full spectrum military. Why cannot the UK?
 

ahho

Junior Member
Since it is from BAE, I will put this video about APKWS in this thread. Not sure if it is posted before, but it seems to provide a bit more information that I have seen in other thread. I wonder, how much the conversion cost

 

Obi Wan Russell

Jedi Master
VIP Professional
I got to ask what the hell is wrong with the UK and its military? France despite all the jokes about it can manage a full spectrum military. Why cannot the UK?
It's not our Military that's the problem, it's our moronic ignorant self serving politicians, for whom Defence is and always has been seen as a cash cow to be raided whenever they get their sums wrong elsewhere. Which is always...
 
It's not our Military that's the problem, it's our moronic ignorant self serving politicians, for whom Defence is and always has been seen as a cash cow to be raided whenever they get their sums wrong elsewhere. Which is always...
I think I know what you're saying, but, seeing the word 'always' in your post, let me remind you the top brass is always involved in the cuts, and the top brass has been compliant and complicit to what's going on, like loosing sea-mines Apr 5, 2017
hmmmm
Possible future capability Minelaying
Notes An absurd capability gap, but UK has no existing stock of naval mines
April 4, 2017
Restoring the UK’s maritime patrol aircraft capability (Part 2)
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and AShMs Nov 11, 2016
... yeah:
UK to retire GWS60 Harpoon at end of 2018
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... self-censored part ...
and spinning it by talking "efficiencies"

so if I were you, I'd blame Military leaders, too

personally I admire what the commander of the French Military did this summer (I now located the post: Jul 19, 2017), assuming anything didn't get lost in translation, he stepped down as the budget would be too low; he lost his job, but kept his honor!
Bravo, Monsieur!
 

Obi Wan Russell

Jedi Master
VIP Professional
I think I know what you're saying, but, seeing the word 'always' in your post, let me remind you the top brass is always involved in the cuts, and the top brass has been compliant and complicit to what's going on, like loosing sea-mines Apr 5, 2017
and AShMs Nov 11, 2016
and spinning it by talking "efficiencies"
so if I were you, I'd blame Military leaders, too

It works like this. The politicians screw up and decide to renege on their promises (must be Tuesday...) so they go to several departments and say " we're going to have to cut your budget by £X Millions/Billions. You have to work out what you are willing to sacrifice to appease the Treasury."

It always starts with the money. That's all the Politicians know or care about, other than getting re elected. They have no interest in Defence in any of it's detail and couldn't tell an aircraft carrier from a minesweeper, certainly not a Destroyer from a Frigate. It really just holds no interest for them.

The Brass is complicit only to the extent that they have to offer something up, and get a 'Hobsons Choice' in the matter. For years this has meant 'Salami Slicing' to maintain all the capabilities possible whilst reducing the overall size . After decades of Salami slicing that era has ended, because the armed forces have been reduced so much it is no longer possible. There is no 'fat' left to cut, now it's about amputation. The Brass seem to have offered up the amphibious forces, not because they want to lose them but because they are worth fighting for and the new Sec Def seems to have some piss and vinegar in him so a fight with the Treasury is on the cards. It's by no means settled.


personally I admire what the commander of the French Military did this summer (I now located the post: Jul 19, 2017), assuming anything didn't get lost in translation, he stepped down as the budget would be too low; he lost his job, but kept his honor!
Bravo, Monsieur!
Well the French have always had a different way of doing things, which I often admire. Our 'Brass' tend to take the view it's better to remain on the inside to temper the worst of the politicians excessive demands. You can't do any good if you've resigned already and are sitting at home effectively retired from the job. Big things are worth making a stand over, but when the shit storm is constant where do you draw the line?
 
It works like this. The politicians screw up and decide to renege on their promises (must be Tuesday...) so they go to several departments and say " we're going to have to cut your budget by £X Millions/Billions. You have to work out what you are willing to sacrifice to appease the Treasury."

It always starts with the money. That's all the Politicians know or care about, other than getting re elected. They have no interest in Defence in any of it's detail and couldn't tell an aircraft carrier from a minesweeper, certainly not a Destroyer from a Frigate. It really just holds no interest for them.

The Brass is complicit only to the extent that they have to offer something up, and get a 'Hobsons Choice' in the matter. For years this has meant 'Salami Slicing' to maintain all the capabilities possible whilst reducing the overall size . After decades of Salami slicing that era has ended, because the armed forces have been reduced so much it is no longer possible. There is no 'fat' left to cut, now it's about amputation. The Brass seem to have offered up the amphibious forces, not because they want to lose them but because they are worth fighting for and the new Sec Def seems to have some piss and vinegar in him so a fight with the Treasury is on the cards. It's by no means settled.
OK, getting
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Well the French have always had a different way of doing things, which I often admire. Our 'Brass' tend to take the view it's better to remain on the inside to temper the worst of the politicians excessive demands. You can't do any good if you've resigned already and are sitting at home effectively retired from the job. Big things are worth making a stand over, but when the shit storm is constant where do you draw the line?
LOL I'm not naive so yeah, always there'll be several Generals/Admirals in line waiting for a promotion, to get the job done

in fact for me it's easy to imagine many would criticize that French Commander for his resignation (I don't know if he actually was, or wasn't, criticized though), anyway I'm with him if you know what I mean
 
Today at 1:54 PM
... the top brass is always involved in the cuts, and the top brass has been compliant and complicit to what's going on, like loosing sea-mines Apr 5, 2017

and AShMs Nov 11, 2016

and spinning it by talking "efficiencies" ...
... as in:
The MoD said last night: 'In the face of intensifying threats, our £178 billion Equipment Plan continues to deliver the cutting-edge kit to keep the UK safe.

'We are making good progress towards our efficiency target. We always look to provide the best value for money for the taxpayer, with all savings reinvested in defence.'
Read more:
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Saturday at 8:40 AM
I now watched that TV report after I had noticed the tweet
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Media were (unusually) not allowed into Portsmouth naval base to cover the decommissioning ceremony of HMS Quorn and Atherstone today. Report by
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related:

"... Just twelve months ago much attention was made when they were the first vessels to be moved into the newly refurbished Minor War Vessels Centre of Specialisation at Portsmouth, expected to provide 190, 000 hours of work and support hundreds of local jobs. The refits, to be conducted by BAE Systems, were scheduled to replace their entire propulsion systems, machinery controls, surveillance systems and include an upgrade of the galleys.

The so called ‘salami slicing’ of mine countermeasures vessels has been a recurring trend in all recent defence reviews, with vessels being taken out of service one or two at a time in nearly every round of cuts. As minor vessels they are often viewed as a less controversial option than scrapping major warships or amphibious vessels and an easy way to make quick savings. ..."

etc.: Quorn and Atherstone bow out in Portsmouth
December 18, 2017
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