Zut alors!!

[delbydoo]

Another speculative report.....

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100831/tuk ... dbed5.html

[Firebird]

... But what would happen when we declare war on France?

[Stewart Pearson]

... But what would happen when we declare war on France?

Massive game of British Bulldog between the crew on the Flight Deck?

[VulcanDriver]

This was suggested when Labour where in power. It does make sense if the UK buys the Rafale instead of the awful F-35B! I read some months ago prior to the election that the RN had offered to only have one carrier with combat a/c on and the other as a helicopter assault ship to save money.

[MIKE JG]

So how's that work? Britain gets them every other weekend or what??

[VulcanDriver]

Hi Mike, that has yet to be worked out! Mind you if they are built to the same standard as French cars they'll be in dock most of the time!

[Firebird]

I really can't see this happening. Remember when the French were against going into Iraq, you can bet that some veto would be built in to any agreement. It would be unworkable.

[campbeme]

Please correct me...

But in the last 40 years we have needed carriers only twice.

1972 when "Mother" HMS Ark Royal, raced across the Atlantic to launch Two Buccanears from 1400 miles away in a show of force over British Honduras.

Then 1982 the Falklands again South American agressors.

So may be it's a good idea to part own them. Just so they are there when required.

Mark

[CelticWarrior]

... only have one carrier with combat a/c on and the other as a helicopter assault ship to save money.

Both of them are planned to be configurable as fixed wing or helicopter assault by design

[maddog65]

So how's that work? Britain gets them every other weekend or what??

then there will be custody issues, Britian will want them for the summer and every other xmas.

[campbeme]

So how's that work? Britain gets them every other weekend or what??

then there will be custody issues, Britian will want them for the summer and every other xmas.

The summer will be covered as the French always have 4 weeks off work in August.

Mark

[Garysb]

Just think of the garlic smell when its our turn

Gary

[VulcanDriver]

But we will have the roast beef!

[sprocky]

Give it another 20 years and there'll be a European Force only. If not 20 years then take 30 or 40. This will lead to European decisions on European products. It just takes time.

[CelticWarrior]

If that happens I'll emigrate to Outer Mongolia!

[tango234]

It does say the carrier would only answer to its own command-it isn't as if we are just giving the french a carrier.

[VulcanDriver]

The UK Defence Minister has said that whilst Anglo-French military co-operation is on the cards there will be no sharing of carriers. But sharing the RAF and the FAF A-400M fleet is being discussed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11176489

The two Portsmouth MPs have just been on local TV saying that it will be cold day in Hell when the RN will use French ships! They also said that the two carriers will be built. Perhaps they've been told something unofficially as there 1000's of jobs hanging on the carrier project in Portsmouth.

<speculation on>
My feeling is that we will get the carriers but not the F-35B and if we are going to work with the French (e.g. cross-decking) the F-35B can't be used on the French carriers and the Rafale can't be used on our carriers which makes me think that the new UK carriers will be modified to take conventional a/c.
<speculation off>

[tango234]

<speculation on>
My feeling is that we will get the carriers but not the F-35B and if we are going to work with the French (e.g. cross-decking) the F-35B can't be used on the French carriers and the Rafale can't be used on our carriers which makes me think that the new UK carriers will be modified to take conventional a/c.
<speculation off>

Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't this involve sharing the carriers which is now off the cards?

[Firebird]

I believe that the carriers are being built with the option of having CTOL operations. This was probably as safety net in case the F-35 was canceled but still.