tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post5108259331953623253..comments2024-02-29T11:45:01.870+01:00Comments on UK Armed Forces Commentary: The Equipment Plan and major projects report 2014Gabrielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-50782412242005817382015-04-01T14:37:53.853+02:002015-04-01T14:37:53.853+02:00Gaby
Many thanks for the reply. Yes, I am concer...Gaby<br /><br />Many thanks for the reply. Yes, I am concerned too!MikeWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-89493947411094210102015-04-01T13:31:05.481+02:002015-04-01T13:31:05.481+02:00As of now, i don't know of any replacement for...As of now, i don't know of any replacement for SHIELDER. There used to be a Counter Mobility study related to FRES, of course, but i fear it has gone to hell and i don't know if there's anything left. <br /><br />As for Barmine, the note about the withdrawal of all variants is on SOLDIER magazine. I can't access the actual document as it is on the army closed network, of course. As of now, i'm not aware of any procurement meant to replace Barmine. So, it is actually quite worrisome. Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-61817401662317209532015-04-01T12:41:51.062+02:002015-04-01T12:41:51.062+02:00Gaby
I've probably put this in entirely the w...Gaby<br /><br />I've probably put this in entirely the wrong thread. It's just that I could not find any other from your list dealing specifically with mine warfare. <br /><br />I've been glancing at your Tweets and was dismayed by the news that the British Army is now withdrawing the Barmine. Does this mean that the Army is fast approaching the time when it will never be able to lay another minefield? Believe me, they will have to sooner or later.<br /><br />Have you heard of any replacement for the Barmine or the Shielder/Volcano system? Is the capability being allowed to disappear without replacement perhaps? I'm not even sure that the MLRS system can lay mines any more.<br /><br />Would appreciate a reply from you if you are not too busy. Thanks.<br /><br />MikeWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-9112576302350212642015-02-27T17:23:44.717+01:002015-02-27T17:23:44.717+01:00Gaby
Just by chance, I have been on the MBDA site...Gaby<br /><br />Just by chance, I have been on the MBDA site. There is no mention there of the Fire shadow loitering munition. It has been there until quite recently, unless I have imagined it. Does that spell the end for the project, do you feel? If it is, it is a pity, because I thought that would be just the weapon the British Army would need in in certain types of campaign such as Afghanistan. <br />MikeWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-35899661664127746462015-02-18T20:05:24.409+01:002015-02-18T20:05:24.409+01:00Gaby
Well, thanks for that.
Gaby<br /><br />Well, thanks for that.<br />MikeWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-39710205495251766932015-02-18T19:39:35.451+01:002015-02-18T19:39:35.451+01:00No, i'm afraid LM's wording on that one is...No, i'm afraid LM's wording on that one is just unlucky. 380 vehicles in total will get the base upgrades, and a part, thought to be around 250, will have the turret. Too few, but that is the number i keep hearing. Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-40235020666490238012015-02-18T19:34:01.536+01:002015-02-18T19:34:01.536+01:00Gaby
Sorry to trouble you yet again with this mat...Gaby<br /><br />Sorry to trouble you yet again with this matter but I am becoming increasingly confused. It looks as if you were right after all in your original article.<br /><br />On their website Lockheed Martin UK say that they are upgrading 380 of the Warrior vehicles with new mission systems and fully digital turrets. Last year, they were also awarded a contract for over £650 million to manufacture 245 turrets for the Scout SV vehicle.<br /><br />I think I was confusing the two, and thinking (when I saw an earlier news extract from the company) that the 245 referred to the number of Warrior turreted vehicles. Now it turns out that there are to be 380 Warrior full turret updates. Is that right? If so, it makes for much better reading, with an adequate number for each Armoured Infantry battalion.<br />MikeWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-33504187443088285122015-02-09T18:11:21.145+01:002015-02-09T18:11:21.145+01:00Gaby,
Many thanks for that.Gaby,<br /><br />Many thanks for that.MikeWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-17289599388648677242015-02-09T18:02:06.112+01:002015-02-09T18:02:06.112+01:00Relatively old news; it was already known that the...Relatively old news; it was already known that there would be a Peace Support fit with RWS available. <br />No idea why you'd ever want to remove the primary recce sensor, however. Just doesn't seem smart to me. Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-1045699822296128262015-02-09T15:51:29.252+01:002015-02-09T15:51:29.252+01:00Gaby
Have you seen the article in Shephard Defenc...Gaby<br /><br />Have you seen the article in Shephard Defence about "Two modes for UK Scout"? Interesting?MikeWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-85882871452760166262015-02-06T18:49:51.657+01:002015-02-06T18:49:51.657+01:00Gaby
Many thanks for your lucid and helpful reply...Gaby<br /><br />Many thanks for your lucid and helpful replyMikeWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-18008272217020236082015-02-06T17:46:50.113+01:002015-02-06T17:46:50.113+01:00Have to assume the remaining vehicles to be recove...Have to assume the remaining vehicles to be recovery, repair and artillery observation. Seems too many to me, though. 300 and 80 keep looking far better and more desirable to me, especially since Artillery Observation variant will be next to useless anyway unless the Royal Artillery can fund a separate programme to actually fit them with the modern kit needed for that very specific role, since this is not a WCSP feature. If there is a requirement for more Joint Fires direction vehicles, they'd better just add more FRES SV Joint Fires (there are 23 on order). <br /><br />Regarding ABSV, Army hopes for first deliveries in 2021 (but it is just that, a hope) and IOC in 2023. Variants considered: APC, Ambulance, Mortar, Anti Tank missile, Command. The first two variants are semi-sure (65 of those have a funding line already, according to the NAO) but all the rest is yet to be funded and confirmed. Command post, again, puzzles me. Integrating all the electronics of a modern command vehicle into a Warrior hull without the turret promises trouble, in my opinion. Drop it out of ABSV and purchase more FRES SV command, if really needed. But with 112 on order, i'd think a fair share of requirement should be covered already... Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-21992983629242476302015-02-06T17:32:15.089+01:002015-02-06T17:32:15.089+01:00Gaby
Thanks for the reply. What do you think the...Gaby<br /><br />Thanks for the reply. What do you think the remaining 130 vehicles (the difference between 380 and 250) will be? Just Recovery and Repair vehicles? Or other variants? Or will some continue as Rarden 30mm versions?<br /><br />And have you heard anything about ABSV? Any other variants there? I wouldn't blame you if had no ideas at all. You have analyzed the situation brilliantly so far on the given information but that information keeps on changing, doesn't it? Yet one more example of stealth cuts and salami slicing? <br /><br />MikeWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-61716008862414190202015-02-06T16:49:48.442+01:002015-02-06T16:49:48.442+01:00It has been on sale for a while. the Fast Landing ...It has been on sale for a while. the Fast Landing Craft Requirement is dead at least out to 2020. Effectively, Force Protection Craft does seem to be just as dead, consideiring the silence about it. All silent, stealth cuts. Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-64543054822403647532015-02-06T16:48:25.420+01:002015-02-06T16:48:25.420+01:00Saw that, been following CSP for a while. That see...Saw that, been following CSP for a while. That seems to be the number. More or less 4 battalions plus a training allocation. The other two effectively will exist only on paper, because there will never be the vehicles to equip all six at once. <br /><br />I don't even know what to say anymore. Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-42788999084624888332015-02-06T16:05:07.314+01:002015-02-06T16:05:07.314+01:00Gaby
Just had a look at the Shephard website. At...Gaby<br /><br />Just had a look at the Shephard website. At the end of an article on the Warrior upgrade, there are some worrying figures quoted. <br /><br />Apparently numbers have been almost halved from the original plan and now read 380 vehicles fitted with modified electrical and survivability systems and a mere 250 to be also fitted with the turret. If those figures are accurate, then that number of turreted vehicles can surely not be enough to equip three armoured infantry brigades (six armoured infantry battalions). Would you say we were short of money?MikeWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-28616525758355244612015-02-06T01:38:24.729+01:002015-02-06T01:38:24.729+01:00Have you seen the PASCAT Landing Craft for sale on...Have you seen the PASCAT Landing Craft for sale on a military / commercial sales brokerage Gabby?, it does not say how much for but its interesting none the less, does that mean its less likely the RM will get something like that now?. As always your blogs are the best about UK forces on the net. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-45869466337873782942015-01-30T11:49:02.887+01:002015-01-30T11:49:02.887+01:00Its hard to remember a time when there has not bee...Its hard to remember a time when there has not been a threat to this country. Its just that today the threat is a bit more determined and crazy- by this I mean Putin and ISIS.<br /><br />To consider more defence cuts shows a complete disregard for caution in the circumstances in which we have huge gaps in our armoury.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-45403366719525975822015-01-20T13:43:12.723+01:002015-01-20T13:43:12.723+01:00It is really hard to say, any guess is a literal s...It is really hard to say, any guess is a literal shot in the dark. But i would hope the actual values are north of 30 knots. Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-1108369028180564342015-01-20T12:43:03.701+01:002015-01-20T12:43:03.701+01:00Always love your update articles. You must spend h...Always love your update articles. You must spend hours piecing it all together for us. Thanks.<br /><br />On the Astute front, do you have any educated guess as to what the top speed is supposed to be ? The last 4 classes have been listed at 28+ kts, this is obviously bollox ;)<br /><br />And its supposed to be one of Astutes "features"<br /><br />BenoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-37400618194973959302015-01-19T19:37:27.697+01:002015-01-19T19:37:27.697+01:00I've been investigating the matter, but i have...I've been investigating the matter, but i have no 100% certainties. I'm told that 380 includes the Warriors with gun AND the Recovery and Repair variants, and a number of Artillery Observation vehicles too. There can only be around 300 with the gun, possibly less, i'm told. ABSV is possibly funded for 65 vehicles, with the Army hoping to obtain funding for more. A complete replacement of FV430 vehicles at the moment does not seem achievable: a number of roles, including ambulances in the armoured Medical Regiments, would be left out for replacement with wheeled FRES UV later on. <br /><br />Again, i can't say i'm 100% sure, however. Couldn't independently verify the sources for this information. Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-61540613066956132452015-01-19T19:28:51.447+01:002015-01-19T19:28:51.447+01:00Could the Warrior numbers possibly be explained as...Could the Warrior numbers possibly be explained as:<br />380 to receive the new 40mm cannon in the CSP<br />65 to be converted to ABSV for APC and ambulance role<br />120 to carry on unconverted as repair & recovery vehicles<br />565 is then the total number of Warrior vehicles.<br />Does that make any sense?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-69570573033291805132015-01-19T17:40:07.622+01:002015-01-19T17:40:07.622+01:00Not surprising. It is being acquired with successi...Not surprising. It is being acquired with successive Main Gate authorizations. The next one, MG 5, is quite further down the line. Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-43048408117085509372015-01-19T16:36:31.470+01:002015-01-19T16:36:31.470+01:00F-35 is notable for the absence of any narrative b...F-35 is notable for the absence of any narrative beyond the 14 airframes for the first squadron- something that has been the case for nearly two years now. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-37502567314500236652015-01-17T13:44:21.244+01:002015-01-17T13:44:21.244+01:00There was talk of the RN withdrawing funding for H...There was talk of the RN withdrawing funding for Harpoon in 2018, this could be why they are dragging their feet..Nosajhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11354157534971514706noreply@blogger.com