Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Quatro
Not making fun of you Sky, but the UK still has admirals that have to think the same things out ... 
I suspect it will become a big news item for the Royal Navy to sail again in force no matter where they go. |
I implied nothing there, Quatro, but I certainly remembered the critical discussions that there has been in past years about the reasonabilty to pump so much money into two hwo huge ships who at that time were seen as unlikely to ever get a full set of aircraft, rotating crews and - due to the numerical shortages - a full set of escorts. And politicians love big symbols and do not always listen to what capability and reality dictate. And that was not my discussion back then, but the Brits had it all by themselves. We here in the forum debated meanwhile whether or not they could ever take back the Falklands if Argentina would take them in a sudden surprise coup, and our answer was the same as that of the British admirals: no. Not enough platforms anymore, not enough logistical support anymore
A general problem today. Platforms have become so expensive that their numbers are severley limited, and any loss weighs multiple times as heavy as in past wars, is harder to compensate.
While I am critical of the British strategy with having two new carriers, I however wish them luck, of course. But I think the fleet Jim described above in case of the Chinese suddenly playing tough ball would not be sufficient to prevent the Chinese from destroying it. Yes I know the Americans and Japanese would also be around and the South Koreans, but still, if you send troops around the planet I think you should be able to care for them by yourself. If you cannot, you have gone way too far and are too far out, imo.
(For this reason I am so strictly against the Germans doing gymnastics in Mali and Afghanistan. They did not even reach there by their own means - and would not be able to get out by themselves if emergency commands it. A principle that every martial arts practitioner knows: take care of your stand, dont do with your feet what ruins your balance, dont make steps that compromise your balance. Your balanced stand is key)