HMS Queen Elisabeth operation-ready?

[Skybird]

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/05/e...mil/index.html

I recall that just a few years ago it was said the carrier will not have enough aircraft, not enough crews, and the Royal Navy not having enough subs and surface combatants to effectively escort and protect her. What has come of all that?

P.S.
German wikipedia says the carrier's first mission assignmeent will lead it into the Chinese sea. Those escort units better are in place then. Regarding China, I see nothing as just symbolic anymore: anything can happen any time, anywhwere.

[Jimbuna]

It has emerged that the UK plans to sail HMS Queen Elizabeth to the Pacific in 2021 amid concerns regarding freedom of navigation in the region.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/brit...eploy-pacific/

https://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/UK/Milit...ueen+Elizabeth

[Mr Quatro]

Breaking news Royal Navy to patrol the Yangtze River 1919



https://www.historynet.com/welcome-t...tze-patrol.htm

Gunboats from the allied nations—the United States, Britain, France, Italy, and Japan—worked together to safeguard their nationals, with mixed results. The River Rats, meanwhile, became a more formal fighting unit. In 1919 the squadron was officially designated the Yangtze Patrol Force

[Jimbuna]

The forerunner to the above.

[Skybird]

So by the first link, two dozens of F35 will be aboard, an unspecified number of these being American planes that rendezvous the carrier while it is in transit.


Escorting such a high value asset must be a major task for the RN with its modern low numbers. I seem to recall that in past times a carrier battle group called for two SSN alone, plus several frigates and destroyers, even cruisers, specialising in anti sub and air defence...!?


Is this still a discussion in the UK, or is it forgotten by now? I still find it strange to focus on such a project that binds so enormous numbers of units from one's rare assets. Even more when sending this fleet far away and onto the other side of theplanet.

[Jimbuna]

The proposed Carrier Strike Group (CSG)

HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08)
HMS Diamond (D34)
HMS Defender (D36)
HMS Kent (F78)
HMS Richmond (F239)
An attack submarine of either the Trafalgar or Astute class.
RFA Fort Victoria (A387)
A Tide-class tanker

Plus

US Navy Arleigh Burke-class USS The Sullivans
Dutch Navy HNLMS Evertsen

[Mr Quatro]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Is this still a discussion in the UK, or is it forgotten by now? I still find it strange to focus on such a project that binds so enormous numbers of units from one's rare assets. Even more when sending this fleet far away and onto the other side of the planet.

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.

[Jimbuna]

Assembled and training. (No sign of the attack sub though)

[Skybird]

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)