Jonathan retweeted
Seen yesterday, Iron Duke being brought alongside Richmond @navylookout @WarshipsIFR @seawaves_mag @UKDefJournal @UKForcesTracker
Jonathan retweeted
The Royal Navy will acquire three Offshore Support Vessels—with options for three more—to operate uncrewed mine countermeasure systems and support NATO’s northern flank as part of the wider UK-Norway Type 26 partnership 🇬🇧 🇳🇴
navalnews.com/naval-news/202…
The real question we have to ask is whether the Batch 1 Rivers will be extended in service again to avoid a patrol vessel gap? With no spare frigates the only other option would be to bring back at least two of the Batch 2 OPVs and continue to rely on the RFA to shadow vessels.
At #AFF2026 today @wesstreeting confirmed the RN will receive the first of 3 Offshore Support Vessels built in Norway in 2031 (with an option for 3 more).
Known as the “P1118 Standardised Vessel Programme” in Norway, they will serve as mine warfare motherships.
navylookout.com/royal-navy-c… (Mock up image only)
For context these would be almost 10m longer than the B2 River class OPV, if the crew facilities were scaled back to support a short stay (72 hours) engineering or pilot crew from a CCV, they could have significant endurance and the stability to operate a good sensor suite.
BAES showed a 100m sensor effect platform (SEP) based on their Triton trimaran frigate technology demonstrator, built in the 2000s. They have been less proactive than others and may have capacity issues with yards fully committed to AUKUS and T26.
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Is there an opportunity to disperse some of the basing for these (and other LUSVs) from not only a security standpoint but also to give them greater range for deployments especially into the High North or Atlantic? Belfast, North Cornwall, South Wales, NE Scotland, Cromarty Firth
Kongsberg's Type 92 'Arctic Hunter' Large Uncewed Surface Vessel (LUSV) will be built by Balaena’s Birkenhead shipyard (Cammel Laird), the largest remaining commercial shipyard in the UK, after Navantia Belfast. Thales will provide the main sensor, a towed array sonar. navalnews.com/naval-news/202…
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Jonathan retweeted
Why Canada likes Destroyers for its Navy? via @YouTube youtu.be/0G41DRgqM00?si=QCAP…
If this can be developed quickly and begin sea trials before the end of 2027 there will be a glimmer of hope that the First Sea Lords plan is both credible and feasible.
Thales and Kongsberg have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop anti-submarine warfare (ASW) sensing capability designed to meet UK Royal Navy operational requirements for its future Type 92 USV 🇬🇧 🇳🇴
navalnews.com/naval-news/202…
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Jonathan retweeted
🇬🇧🇩🇰🇳🇴🇸🇪🇫🇮🇪🇪🇱🇻🇱🇹🇮🇸🇳🇱 NEW: TEN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES TO EXPAND NAVAL COOPERATION AGAINST RUSSIA
The ten members of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) are preparing to sign a new agreement aimed at strengthening maritime security and deterring Russian submarines.
According to the Financial Times, the agreement will be signed aboard the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales in Oslo on November 10.
KEY DETAILS:
• COUNTRIES: The UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Netherlands.
• OPERATIONS: Moving beyond intelligence sharing and political coordination towards closer integration of naval, air and land forces.
• GEOGRAPHY: Focused on the North Atlantic, the Arctic and the Baltic Sea.
• SUBMARINES: Strengthening the ability to detect, monitor and deter Russian submarines that could threaten shipping during a conflict.
• INFRASTRUCTURE: Improving protection of strategically important maritime routes and critical undersea infrastructure, including communications cables.
• INTEGRATION: Expanding joint training, operational planning, logistics and the ability of participating navies to operate together.
The agreement builds on the JEF’s existing Northern Navies Initiative, endorsed by all ten countries in July 2026.
Made worse by throwing money at the Type 23s to extend their service life by minimal amounts. A steady ship building program would have avoided this collapses in hull numbers whilst allowing industry to preserve skills, keep people employed and delivered better value.
Jonathan retweeted
#NEWS: We’ve been selected to build America’s new Medium Landing Ship.
As our first @USNavy shipbuilding contract, this marks an important milestone in our commitment to invest in @PhillyShipyard and expand its naval production capacity.
More detail: ow.ly/yi635102s59
Jonathan retweeted
Hanwha Philly Shipyard Wins $269 Million U.S. Navy Landing Ship Contract gcaptain.com/hanwha-philly-s…
"I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey, and reminds us to cherish every moment because they'll never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we lived."
Rest in Peace Sir Patrick, your legacy will remain forever!
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Jonathan retweeted
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:
Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Fund
alzresearch.org/giving/
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Caregiver Resources
alzfdn.org/donate/
Photo Credit: Tommy Garcia
Are we getting to the point where Artillery Regiments are reorganised with a larger focus on missiles for both offensive and defensive purposes? Could the Army have a greater role in homeland defence plus the expeditionary ability to support with air & coastal defence batteries?
And this means stronger close in defence, not roaming the high seas, so not a maritime strategy in the traditional Victorian era sense. Calling it a maritime strategy is fundamentally flawed, and it instantly creates a strong reaction from the Army
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Until the US Navy can live with the idea that not all ships need to perform all functions any frigate will likely face significant procurement challenges.
It needs an ASW focus and provide local air defence. High end anti ballistic defence and long range strike are for the ABs!
I think Type 31 for the US Navy is a fantastic option. However the biggest concern as is the case with every foreign design is the Navy willing to flex on survivability and the inclusion of SPY-6.
SPY-6 would require extensive rework for cooling and power including incorporating the Aegis combat system or its lighter cousin, COMBATSS-21. Rigorous survivability standards would also magnify the plumbing and damage control redesigns already complicated by SPY and Aegis.
To avoid a repeat of Constellation the Navy must decide what it’s willing to live without or return to the same design hell that condemned most of our Navies recent design efforts.
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The forward operating model used for Lancaster and Montrose in the Gulf shows rotating personnel is very doable whilst preserving hull life. If RN had a T31 based in Gibraltar and the Falklands the force would likely need to grow to 9 as a minimum, ideally 12.
On this I disagree, we need smaller vessels for lower end taskings and they provide a vital stepping stone for officer training. B2 Rivers should be replaced with a hybrid OPV/MCMV as done by Belgium/Netherlands.
OPV:
Controversial take but decomission all OPVs. Don't replace B1s but 1 for 1 B2s with the additional 5 T31s I mentioned earlier OR install 57mm, 16x NSM and single CAMM launcher on flight deck. This is complex and may not be possible. Big questions around crewing too.
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