New French Carrier

[VulcanDriver]

The French Govt announced that it wanted a second aircraft carrier in 2008. President Sarkozy stated that a final decision on France building a second carrier would be taken in 2011 or 2012, but doubts have been cast over the cost of building it. Now here's the surprise. The design is exactly like the new UK carriers even down to the engines. Call me suspicious but the new Anglo-French defence agreement states closer cooperation on on joint defence systems. The UK Govt has already said it will build the two carriers but will only operate one. The other will be sold. I can guess that the French will be getting the HMS Prince of Wales and renamed in French service as the Richelieu.

[nickblack423]

Very pessimistic of you John, but I think that is very feasible. I heard that the Prince of Wales was going to be a conventional carrier though and only the QE was going to be modified to have a cat/trap system. That wouldn't suit the French would it! But I tell you what I wouldnt count anything out nowadays. Im glad I jumped ship when I did.

Nick

[clarke123]

All I can say to that is goodbye Falkland islands and South Georgia. Oh and so long, national pride, we hardly knew ye the past ten years.

[vanguard 954]

Rumours coming out of the carrier project office,here in the Pompey Naval base are hinting that both carriers may be fitted with cats and traps!Given that production has been slowed right down and the first carrier is not due to enter service for several years,there is still plenty of time to alter the design!

[VulcanDriver]

That would certainly be what the French would need for a projected air wing of 32 Rafale, 3 E-2C Hawkeyes and 5 NH-90 helicopters. The French did specify that the new carrier would be fitted with French radars and defensive weapons. So I predict that the ship would be fitted out in France to keep their Unions happy. It'll be interesting to see if the French announce that their carrier will not be built, if they do then my hunch will be correct.

The words used in the 2010 Defence Review regarding the second UK carrier is "may be sold with the view to cooperation with a close ally to provide continuous carrier-strike capability". It all points to the French buying it to me!

Wasn't the original plan for the French and UK to jointly build the carriers to spread the cost?

[MIKE JG]

I think going forward in the future, we'll see more cooperation amongst nations when it comes to their military policies. It's just getting too expensive to have large armies and navies. We're starting to figure that out here in the states finally. Maybe we can rent out a couple super carriers in the future.....

[VulcanDriver]

All I can say to that is goodbye Falkland islands and South Georgia. Oh and so long, national pride, we hardly knew ye the past ten years.

I remember the 1981 John Nott review when Thatcher was in power. The main cuts under the Nott review were to fall on the Navy which, although it took on the Trident SSBN submarines, was to lose around one fifth of their 60 destroyers, frigates and three carriers. One of these three carriers was to be sold to Australia, the remaining two were to be mothballed and the two amphibious ships Fearless and Intrepid were to be scrapped. The carrier HMS Hermes had already been sold to India but due to the Falklands War, the UK did not complete the sale until 1985. The ice patrol ship Endurance was going to be scrapped.

If Argentina had waited a few years they could have walked on to the Falklands and the UK would not have had any naval power to reclaim them.

[clarke123]

If Argentina had waited a few years they could have walked on to the Falklands and the UK would not have had any naval power to reclaim them.

Actually that was the original Argentine plan but the bust up between the crew of a salvage ship and the British Antarctic survey team over protocol on South Georgia, the raising of Argie colours at the merchants base camp, failing to report to the BAS team on arrival and the crew carrying weapons (which was subsequently misreported through rushed radio messages and rumours as the crew taking potshots at the BAS team) led the Junta to believe the UK would reinforce the islands as per past aggressions and pushed the Argentines into a hasty move. Luck played a massive part in 1982.

[vanguard 954]

Latest rumour,as a result of the recent UK Gov. trip to India, Ark Royal plus a number of harriers could be sold to India as part of an arms package! Once Ark Royal is decommisioned next month,there is to be a survey done in Pompey dockyard for a possible sale!

[campbeme]

What ever happened to HMS Illustrious (R06)?

Mark

[Firebird]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Illustrious_%28R06%29

[st george]

Get one fast before they are all gone

http://www.edisposals.com/is-bin/INTERS ... =OfferList

[VulcanDriver]

When this govt has sold / scrapped our military capability, I hear there will be a new Office of Regulation of UK defence capability. Its going to be called OFUK! (pronounced Oh! f@#k!)

[vanguard 954]

HMS illustrious is lying in basin 3,portsmouth dockyard,where it has been for the last 6 years.It is basically just an empty hulk,the engines and anything usable for spares have been ripped out!

[vanguard 954]

Sorry that is Invincible,Illustrious is in Rosyth for arefit!

[campbeme]

Sorry that is Invincible,Illustrious is in Rosyth for arefit!

Thanks for the info Vanguard, I wonder what they are refitting her for now? SALE maybe? I know India is looking at Ark Royal but I wonder what will happen to "Lusty".