Thin Pinstriped Line

The Prime Minister was attacked this week in print for travelling back from New York using an RAF Voyager aircraft rather than a commercially available airliner. Various travel authors suggested that he could have made the last flight out of New York and still been back in the UK in time for his various duties, rather than flying in his own aircraft. There is a curiously British sense of discomfort about the idea that providing any form of even vaguely comfortable or sensible travel for VIPs is a good idea. Historically the UK has not prioritised long haul aircraft (the so-called ‘Blair Force One’), and while it could occasionally convert certain RAF passenger aircraft to the role, much travel was done on chartered aircraft. It was only in the last few years that an RAF A330 was converted to provide a small number of business seats and a very discrete VVIP section (seats, communications and other enhancements) to permit very senior UK Ministers and Royals to travel long haul ...

According to the Daily Mail, there are crew onboard the PRINCE OF WALES who are upset over their ‘bomb site’ living quarters. A photo has appeared which seems to show a sharp contrast between a plush wardroom and a mess deck still under construction, which in turn implies that the junior sailors are putting up with appalling accommodation while officers are living in luxury. This is backed up by quotes from a naval ‘source’ to support the story. Is this real, or is it perhaps hyperbole or even ‘fake news’? PRINCE OF WALES goes to sea - Image by Ministry of Defence; © Crown copyright The story appears to have originated on the website ‘Fill Your Boots’, a Facebook page followed by about 84000 people, and on which anyone can view posts. Its aimed at providing squaddy humour and campaigns for the rights of junior service personnel – often with great success. Original story The original post is pictured below. It was dated 16 September (Monday), and simply shows...

The Royal Navy has now become only the second nation in global history to put two indigenously designed and built super carriers to sea. The news that PRINCE OF WALES has now left the Rosyth dockyard where she was assembled and is now about to head out to sea for the first time is incredibly exciting. For the first time in nearly 50 years the Royal Navy has a pair of strike carriers at sea. Today is the realisation of a journey that was thought lost forever in 1966 when the CVA01 carrier was cancelled, and then reinvigorated in 1998 under the Strategic Defence Review. For over 20 years the Royal Navy has invested heavily, and sacrificed much, to ensure that this day would come. But, putting to sea is merely the first step in a long next journey, and it is worth taking stock of what is likely to happen next. Perhaps more importantly, it is worth setting out in simple terms why you will not see POW embark F35s soon. Image by Ministry of Defence; © Crown copyright I...

The DSEI Defence and Security show has recently finished in London, an opportunity for UK   industry to highlight future potential capabilities and for the MOD to announce significant contract awards. One of the most constant memories of the show, which is now in its 20 th year, is the manner by which multiple warships are berthed alongside the Excel Centre in the docklands, particularly those from the Royal Navy. Last week saw a range of RN vessels, from HMS ARGYLL through to P2000 class patrol craft showcasing their cutting edge technology and means by which these ships can play a critical part in supporting the UK’s national security. It is all very well having this impressive equipment though, but you do need a compelling and clearly communicated vision for how it will be used, and the priorities that the Service needs to address. Global Reach via the RFA -Image by Ministry of Defence; © Crown copyright This challenge was met and handled by Admiral Radakin...

It has been a good day for the Royal Navy. The news that Babcock has been selected as the preferred bidder for the Type 31e frigate with its ‘Arrowhead 140’ design, which is based on an existing design for the Royal Danish Navy will provide significant reassurance for both the RN and shipyards around the country. The Type 31e is a frigate with a curious gestation, emerging out of the 2015 SDSR as an intended light frigate to cover 5 of the 13 replacements for the Type 23 frigate, and optimised for the patrol role. Intended to be purchased for a fairly small sum (an average of just £250m per hull), there was a lot of speculation around what the final version may look like – would it be a small hull, similar to a Type 12 or 21 Frigate, or would it be something a bit different? In selecting the Arrowhead version, the RN has committed to buying a class of ship materially larger than the Type 23 it is replacing. These are not small vessels, coming in at nearly 140m long and displ...

The 2019 Spending Round has been announced, with headline figures pointing to a 2.6% rise in the Defence Budget – equating to some £2.2bn extra funding next year. Coming after a period where expectations seemed to have been set low, and the MOD was seemingly on track for a flat rate settlement, this seems potentially very good news. This spending round is a one off, and is likely to see a further 3-5 year review occurring next year which will show the longer term direction of government spending. But it is helpful to understand what the key benefits are for Defence and wider national security and to see where the money may be going. Already the armchair admirals are out in force, creating spending lists of capabilities in their head to buy for the military. It is safe to say that within minutes of the announcement, a legion of virtual generals had come up with shopping lists so long, they’d trebled the size of the Departmental ‘black hole’. MOD tactics to 'persuade...

Hurricane Dorian is currently wreaking destruction across the idyllic paradise of the Bahamas, a small low-lying island nation in the West Indies. This former British Colony, and today member of the Commonwealth with Her Majesty the Queen as Head of State has been badly hit by hugely powerful winds and significant flooding. Although it is too soon to assess the extent of the damage, it is likely to be wide reaching and substantial. Extensive humanitarian aid will be required, along with emergency life saving and rescue equipment to help rebuild the nation. Already the UK has confirmed that the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel MOUNTS BAY is en route to render assistance if required. Without doubt, this is a spot of good news in a very difficult time. The UK is well placed to offer support in the region, having invested considerably in capacity building across the West Indies to help increase national abilities to respond to natural disasters in recent years. Many of these island...