Search found 358 matches

by james k
04 Dec 2019, 16:38
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: General UK Defence Discussion
Replies: 1842
Views: 184023
United Kingdom

Re: General UK Defence Discussion

It seem as if the Royal Marines and much of the RN are under threat from the Treasury again if reports are to be believed. Lib Dems want to hand over everything, including responsibility, to the eu. Labour just want all those nasty defence and security issues to disappear and Conservative have an id...
by james k
25 Jul 2018, 18:15
Forum: Personnel and Units
Topic: Brigade of Gurkhas
Replies: 45
Views: 3582
United Kingdom

Re: Brigade of Gurkhas

basic infantry skills are taught to all servicemen almost much universally I guess the operative word there is "basic". Ethos is one thing, accompanied with enough skills, and then the rest is a difference of degree; Details down to week level to be found here: https://www.quora.com/If-ev...
by james k
18 Jul 2018, 16:49
Forum: Personnel and Units
Topic: Brigade of Gurkhas
Replies: 45
Views: 3582
United Kingdom

Re: Brigade of Gurkhas

all, without exception, complete the full Combat Infantry Course. Nowhere else will you find that every Cook, Clerk, Bandsmen, Signaller, Medic, Combat Engineer and Logistic specialist is a fully trained infantryman. Yes, for UK, but exactly the same in the USMC. Or some conscript armies, where (e....
by james k
05 Jun 2018, 13:21
Forum: Personnel and Units
Topic: HMNB Portsmouth (RN)
Replies: 134
Views: 15010
United Kingdom

Re: HMNB Portsmouth (RN)

Whatever that is, it isn't The Field Gun Competition. The cadets used to have a kiddy version on Whale Island and it's more like that, the new H&S aware Field Gun is unworthy of the name
by james k
05 Jun 2018, 12:50
Forum: British Army
Topic: Panther Protected Command Vehicle
Replies: 31
Views: 19082
United Kingdom

Re: Panther Protected Command Vehicle

I would have thought Husky would have been a contender as it is of similar size and an adapted cabin would provide similar capability for less cash. I agree the existing procurement process is terrible and asking for trouble. Not very long ago it was heralded as the next great thing. No matter what ...
by james k
05 Jun 2018, 12:35
Forum: British Army
Topic: Panther Protected Command Vehicle
Replies: 31
Views: 19082
United Kingdom

Re: Panther Protected Command Vehicle

Not very long ago it was heralded as the next great thing. No matter what they return after sale they'll be a rather considerable net loss for the MOD. The services have to stop chasing new kit and make better use of what they have or they'll enter a race to keep spending on new kit that the can nev...
by james k
01 Jun 2018, 14:35
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: River Class (OPV) (RN)
Replies: 5411
Views: 1420372
United Kingdom

Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

War, warlike operations, increased tension as a prelude to war..........the usual things that military and naval forces get involved with really.
RetroSicotte wrote:
Probably, but what scenario would call for such weapons?
by james k
17 May 2018, 11:24
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: River Class (OPV) (RN)
Replies: 5411
Views: 1420372
United Kingdom

Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Could a system such as VLS Hellfire or alternatives be fitted to the River 2 without loss of existing capability (aside from the fairly useless crane)?
by james k
04 May 2018, 19:42
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: Commonwealth of Nations
Replies: 10
Views: 989
United Kingdom

Re: Commonwealth of Nations

In all reality given his age and the longevity of women in the Royal Family even if he does become King, it will be a short reign. Personally I like him but to maintain the monarchy in all of the Commonwealth Realms I would not be sad if, because of his age, the crown passed to William. I may be old...
by james k
04 May 2018, 15:36
Forum: Political Discussions
Topic: Commonwealth of Nations
Replies: 10
Views: 989
United Kingdom

Re: Commonwealth of Nations

I can't comment on the truth of this except to say that politicians are not supposed to make public the private thoughts and discussions that they have had with members of the Royal Household. Aside from that I would be sad to see Australia become a republic, the shared monarchy seems to be a living...
by james k
04 May 2018, 15:03
Forum: Personnel and Units
Topic: Chief of the Defence Staff
Replies: 30
Views: 1343
United Kingdom

Re: Chief of the Defence Staff

I've met Gen Peach and thought he was a bit of a prick. That was of course my own opinion but over the last few weeks I've discussed him with other people who know him or his work and they disagree. They all seem to say he's a complete prick and a total yes man. They could had a decent soldier with ...
by james k
04 May 2018, 14:58
Forum: Personnel and Units
Topic: Brigade of Gurkhas
Replies: 45
Views: 3582
United Kingdom

Re: Brigade of Gurkhas

One thing to note about the Gurkhas is that regardless of cap badge they all, without exception, complete the full Combat Infantry Course. Nowhere else will you find that every Cook, Clerk, Bandsmen, Signaller, Medic, Combat Engineer and Logistic specialist is a fully trained infantryman.
by james k
28 Apr 2018, 17:06
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: River Class (OPV) (RN)
Replies: 5411
Views: 1420372
United Kingdom

Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

I just glad you're not running things. Clearly but you seemed to think not I sad all the matters are Subs and Aircraft, not the RN should only operate Subs and Aircraft Carriers. Anything that does not directly support those 2 should be dropped. Survey vessels directly support subs for example, and...
by james k
28 Apr 2018, 17:05
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: River Class (OPV) (RN)
Replies: 5411
Views: 1420372
United Kingdom

Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

I just glad you're not running things. Clearly but you seemed to think not I sad all the matters are Subs and Aircraft, not the RN should only operate Subs and Aircraft Carriers. Anything that does not directly support those 2 should be dropped. Survey vessels directly support subs for example, and ...
by james k
17 Apr 2018, 14:14
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: River Class (OPV) (RN)
Replies: 5411
Views: 1420372
United Kingdom

Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Clearly but you seemed to think not
shark bait wrote:
james k wrote: carriers and subs that too is nonsense for without major surface combatants the carriers are vulnerable to enemy submarines, aircraft and surface vessels
no wayyyyy! are they?
by james k
17 Apr 2018, 13:03
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: River Class (OPV) (RN)
Replies: 5411
Views: 1420372
United Kingdom

Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Nonsense! The UK doesn't just have NATO responsibilities. There are Overseas Dependent Territories a host of defence agreements which include Commonwealth Realms other commonwealth members and regional alliances with nations who's well being has a direct impact on our own. There are also significant...
by james k
17 Apr 2018, 12:33
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: River Class (OPV) (RN)
Replies: 5411
Views: 1420372
United Kingdom

Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

Well for a start there is a very real coastal vulnerability at the SBO's in Cyprus our base for all Middle Eastern Air Ops.
shark bait wrote:
Repulse wrote:Syria has demonstrated IMO that the need for the a Hi-Lo mix for RN is a must
Why does Syria change anything?
by james k
17 Apr 2018, 12:29
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: River Class (OPV) (RN)
Replies: 5411
Views: 1420372
United Kingdom

Re: River Class (OPV) (RN)

We may be keeping some or all of the batch 1 ships which would be good news indeed and might serve to increase the ability of the RNR to support fleet operations

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... etire.html
by james k
28 Mar 2018, 16:38
Forum: British Army
Topic: Boxer / Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV)
Replies: 2802
Views: 714863
United Kingdom

Re: British Army Future Wheeled APC

Big mistake being made
by james k
16 Feb 2018, 19:21
Forum: British Army
Topic: Boxer / Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV)
Replies: 2802
Views: 714863
United Kingdom

Re: British Army Future Wheeled APC

In short no. The last Prime Minister to actively support the MOD was Tony Blair who saw them as a way of winning votes and overturning the negative public image of the Labour MOD relationship. He genuinely tried for a while but the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, kept the MOD critically short of funds thr...
by james k
14 Feb 2018, 20:17
Forum: British Army
Topic: Boxer / Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV)
Replies: 2802
Views: 714863
United Kingdom

Re: British Army Future Wheeled APC

It's all about priorities, or at least it should be. Rather than dicking around with shopping lists and trying to make the service more inclusive, liberal and weakening the very fabric the priorities should be - 1. Manpower, retention, recruitment. 2. Training. Individual/Platoon/Company/Battalion a...
by james k
14 Feb 2018, 20:06
Forum: British Army
Topic: Boxer / Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV)
Replies: 2802
Views: 714863
United Kingdom

Re: British Army Future Wheeled APC

Give it time
mr.fred wrote:
james k wrote:You've not noticed the decline of the UK forces then? Odd that it's been going on as long as I can remember
I’d not disagree, but for the magnitude of the problem as you present it.
by james k
13 Feb 2018, 13:35
Forum: British Army
Topic: Boxer / Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV)
Replies: 2802
Views: 714863
United Kingdom

Re: British Army Future Wheeled APC

You've not noticed the decline of the UK forces then? Odd that it's been going on as long as I can remember There seems to be a very fragile grip on reality emerging here. This is how it works in practice - You have 4 of something which you need to replace with 4 of something else - You get a commit...
by james k
12 Feb 2018, 18:34
Forum: British Army
Topic: Boxer / Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV)
Replies: 2802
Views: 714863
United Kingdom

Re: British Army Future Wheeled APC

There seems to be a very fragile grip on reality emerging here. This is how it works in practice - You have 4 of something which you need to replace with 4 of something else - You get a committed aspiration for 4, an order for 2 and a delivery of 1. You have 10 of something but really need 20, what ...
by james k
11 Feb 2018, 19:33
Forum: British Army
Topic: Boxer / Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV)
Replies: 2802
Views: 714863
United Kingdom

Re: British Army Future Wheeled APC

An APC is essentially a battlefield Taxi. It moves people under protection of armour to the place they need to fight, withdraws and acts as fire support with whatever weapons systems it has. It then moves in and picks up the infantry and moves them to another place, be that in advance or retreat. It...