If your figures are correct, the Royal Navy currently has four frigates that are operational and I assume they are not all at sea at all times. At what point do we just stop pretending and merge with the coastguard and customs? At this rate too, without a serious rearmament programme, the infrastructure of expertise, dockyards, personnel and morale all deteriorate to the point that they are pretty much lost for good. Who on earth would now join the Royal Navy? A career in a dockyard with an occasional trip in a ship which will break down and where you are pitied and laughed at by Russian and American and French navies does not sound terribly exciting.
That is indeed the choice we face; do we want to be a serious nation or a laughing stock? I enjoyed living in a serious nation and particularly being part of what were consiedered the best armed forces in the world. I don't like being a laughing stock and I am determined to Restore (hint) the UK to the country it once was.
I expect restoration is a long term project. In the meantime, an unpleasant dose of realism may be needed. Maybe we just accept that we are not so great and should aim to be like Switzerland but surrounded by water. Who cares if they have a navy or not. On the other hand we want influence and respect and to promote our interests. In which case we need the kit to be taken seriously. Either do it properly or be honest, and don’t bother and stop wasting a billion quid on a ship that breaks down.
After two failed Trident launches, we no longer seem to have a viable nuclear deterrent. When N.A.T.O. falls apart we will once more be on our own. Then it will be squeaky bum time.
Notwithstanding the Trident failures, which can't really be ascribed to the Royal Navy as missiles are held in common with US Navy. Wikipedia tells me that there have been 197 launches from sea with 5 failures. Last launch in Sep 2025 was of a Trident D5LE (life extension) and was successful
No, Iran doesn't care if we retaliate. Look at the meting out of death by the leaders to their own people. Martyrdom - and "paradise" - trumps life.
If your figures are correct, the Royal Navy currently has four frigates that are operational and I assume they are not all at sea at all times. At what point do we just stop pretending and merge with the coastguard and customs? At this rate too, without a serious rearmament programme, the infrastructure of expertise, dockyards, personnel and morale all deteriorate to the point that they are pretty much lost for good. Who on earth would now join the Royal Navy? A career in a dockyard with an occasional trip in a ship which will break down and where you are pitied and laughed at by Russian and American and French navies does not sound terribly exciting.
That is indeed the choice we face; do we want to be a serious nation or a laughing stock? I enjoyed living in a serious nation and particularly being part of what were consiedered the best armed forces in the world. I don't like being a laughing stock and I am determined to Restore (hint) the UK to the country it once was.
I expect restoration is a long term project. In the meantime, an unpleasant dose of realism may be needed. Maybe we just accept that we are not so great and should aim to be like Switzerland but surrounded by water. Who cares if they have a navy or not. On the other hand we want influence and respect and to promote our interests. In which case we need the kit to be taken seriously. Either do it properly or be honest, and don’t bother and stop wasting a billion quid on a ship that breaks down.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - I'm deeply impressed by how you constantly know so much about so much!
Were you in the military yourself before?
As it says in my blurb, i was a British Army cavalry officer. Some would question whether that's military :-)
After two failed Trident launches, we no longer seem to have a viable nuclear deterrent. When N.A.T.O. falls apart we will once more be on our own. Then it will be squeaky bum time.
Notwithstanding the Trident failures, which can't really be ascribed to the Royal Navy as missiles are held in common with US Navy. Wikipedia tells me that there have been 197 launches from sea with 5 failures. Last launch in Sep 2025 was of a Trident D5LE (life extension) and was successful