UK asks France to help protect national waters...

I stumbled across this story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-30398114

A periscope was sighted off the coast of Scotland. Unfortunately, the UK no longer has dedicated fixed wing aircraft which can check up on these things... so we had to ask the French, Canadians and US to help out.

First thought... that's a bit embarrassing.

Second thought... could this be the Loch Ness Monster?

Reply 1

MatureStudent36

5

A bit embarrassing. It was a sad day when the nimrods went but they were shagged out airframes and dangerous to fly. Hopefully we'll get a ASW platform again shortly.

However, the French weren't able to support their own troops in Mali without UK support.

Interesting where it was seen though. Looks like the Russians are still trying to track the V boats.

Reply 2

A Mysterious Lord

20

Yeah, that's not happening.

Reply 3

Aj12

18

We live in an age where our forces are not designed to operate alone. Our military is pretty much geared in to work with NATO, rather than independently.

Reply 4

Drewski

19

Original post by Aj12

We live in an age where our forces are not designed to operate alone. Our military is pretty much geared in to work with NATO, rather than independently.

There is a big difference between working with other countries and getting them to do literally all the work.

It would be different if we asked for their support to assist our own operations, but in this case we have zero capability.

Reply 5

Observatory

20

Original post by Aj12

We live in an age where our forces are not designed to operate alone. Our military is pretty much geared in to work with NATO, rather than independently.

While that's partly true it's not a factor in this case. ASW in the North Sea was our key reponsibility during the Cold War; we were expected to pick up the slack from other countries here, not vice-versa.

The reason we do not have this capability is not an agreement with other countries to share MPAs, but rather the failure of our procurement project for an MPA that was then cut from the budget without replacement due to defence cuts.

Reply 6

MatureStudent36

5

Original post by Observatory

While that's partly true it's not a factor in this case. ASW in the North Sea was our key reponsibility during the Cold War; we were expected to pick up the slack from other countries here, not vice-versa.

The reason we do not have this capability is not an agreement with other countries to share MPAs, but rather the failure of our procurement project for an MPA that was then cut from the budget without replacement due to defence cuts.

ASW in the North Sea was the Norwegian and Germans responsibility.

If you read the article, it was allegedly spotted off the west coast.

I agree we need a fixed wing ASW platform, but at the time the Ninrods were cut they were massively over budget, the ones flying were dangerous and Russia weren't playing funny buggers.

I believe we'll end up getting Posedion from the states in the near future. Not a major shock as they're our closest ally and they're already fitted with Nimrods ASW suite.

Secondly, we've also demonstrated how the world stage changes rather quickly. More quickly than we can rustle up the required equipment to buy and operate it.

Reply 7

Drewski

19

Original post by MatureStudent36

I believe we'll end up getting Posedion from the states in the near future. Not a major shock as they're our closest ally and they're already fitted with Nimrods ASW suite.

...and have had British personnel flying on them all through their development. In fact, the ex-kippers who are on them are the best crew on the P8, beating the septics on their own turf. Looks a decent bit of kit.

Reply 8

MatureStudent36

5

Original post by Drewski

...and have had British personnel flying on them all through their development. In fact, the ex-kippers who are on them are the best crew on the P8, beating the septics on their own turf. Looks a decent bit of kit.

I'm not own over on it. Doesn't have the range and endurance that the nimrod has....and the pilot can't fly it with his elbow hanging outside the window.

Cameron signed a defence deal with the Japanese some time back. Hopefully we'll get the Kawasaki P1. Its git greater range and therefore needs less tanking support.

UK asks France to help protect national waters...

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