ArmChairCivvy wrote:will Global Britain mean a pepper-gun approach, with a token presence "everywhere"?
Good question, and one with ever more importance now that there is close to zero chance to an increase in defence funding.
I do not see HMG going way from the idea of Global Britain, but it would require even more of it to be Global Presence, than global Power. This coupled with the ability to project power globally, but from the UK.
The key strands I think are:
- A capable but limited version of CEPP. This would require the CVFs, T45s, 6 T26s, 3-4 SSNs, Tides and two FFSs.
- A roaming fleet of SSNs* and UUVs; ideally 7 of the former to allow one always to be EoS and another in the Atlantic/Mediterranean.
- Forward presence ships, split into three parts:
> A fleet of Patrol, MCM and Survey ships, aimed towards ensuring freedom of flow of trade and diplomacy. Should ideally have ability for self defence (in areas such as the Gulf) and a common Platform like the older MHPC concept. If the T31 is this then fine, but I think it still needs some work, and 10+ hulls.
> RFA HADR capability
> A forward based RM strike vessels, capable of SF operations or scaling to once in a generation ARG level Brigade ops. This for me means 2 LPDs, 1-2 Aviation Support Ship(s) (like Argus), 2 Bays and 1-2 Multirole support ships (like RFA Victoria).
* To pay for this, CASD would go and some of the money spent on 3-4 more SSNs and a tactical nuclear weapon capability.