tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post5132210833892921204..comments2024-02-29T11:45:01.870+01:00Comments on UK Armed Forces Commentary: Army announcement: not all questions get an answer - UPDATEGabrielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-55637096587558674352012-07-07T00:24:50.747+02:002012-07-07T00:24:50.747+02:00Who knows, hopefully it will. But budget remains r...Who knows, hopefully it will. But budget remains really tight. It would sure be nice to mechanize and mount more infantry on Protected Mobility vehicles adequate for the future. <br /><br />Indeed, FRES UV procured for just 3 battalions is something i do not like at all. Come on, that's ridiculous. Either FRES UV gets merged somehow with MRV(P), or it must go and equip some battalions into the Adaptable force as well. <br />Otherwise it makes little sense, to me.Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-35558680133644548182012-07-06T23:02:20.935+02:002012-07-06T23:02:20.935+02:00Yep, your right on that, and I get the supportin r...Yep, your right on that, and I get the supportin role bit - just wondering if an MRV(P) APC variant might now become a bit more important and more widely used by the infantry too :-)<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />JedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-2479715474511417262012-07-06T14:09:43.477+02:002012-07-06T14:09:43.477+02:00Hum...maybe.
I think the new structure has been f...Hum...maybe.<br /><br />I think the new structure has been formed in order to discourage enduring operations. My speculation is that the army originally intended to go down the 5 MRB route, but were told at a late date by the government that this was not required. This would explain why the adaptable/reaction forces structure came out of nowhere at the last moment. <br /><br />If I'm right, having enough units to fit the harmony guidelines no longer applies and we can expect to see changes to this.<br /><br />Just my theorising.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-77381103289297439242012-07-06T13:54:19.320+02:002012-07-06T13:54:19.320+02:00Thank you for the comment, and for letting me know...Thank you for the comment, and for letting me know of that rumour. I'll try and look into it later. <br /><br />As to the mish-mash, i wouldn't say so. I believe that the Army would have 5 MRBs, had it been free to cut what it wanted, regardless of capbadges, to fit into the manpower target. <br /><br />But the new structure does not mean that the 5 Signals or Artillery regiments no longer make sense. <br /><br />The assumption is still that the Army must be able to keep a brigade deployed on an enduring operation. <br />To do so within current Harmony Guidelines, you need 5 men for keeping one deployed all the time. <br />5 men, or five formations. <br /><br />That's why having 5 standardized engineer, artillery and signals regiments still make perfect sense, even in the new structure. They are the most the army can get, and the number the army needs to meet the SDSR targets. <br /><br />IF there were resources, the Armored Brigades would have each one large regiment on AS90 and the others would all have a regiment on L118, but there are no resources for this. <br />So the army must try and save 5 "general service" formations in each enabler type, so it can face the need for enduring operations. <br /><br />That's the problem with making 3RHA a GMLRS unit: the Artillery would no longer have the necessary 5 "general service" Fires regiments. <br />The GMLRS situation is one to keep under real observation.Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-6171939317875255242012-07-06T13:34:37.354+02:002012-07-06T13:34:37.354+02:00Gabbie
Good blog.
There are rumours on arsse that...Gabbie<br />Good blog.<br /><br />There are rumours on arsse that 3RHA will re-role to GMLRS when 39RA goes. Not confirmed though. <br /><br />Overall I'm finding army2020 an odd mish-mash between units formed for the 5 MRB structure sitting alongside the new structure of reaction/adaptable forces. I think those units created for the 5 MRBs (i.e. the signal regiments) now no longer really fit, and will be changed once again after some time has passed to better fit the new structure. I also don't expect to see other MRB designed units, such as the proposed 5 artillery regiments with a mixture of AS90/L118 as these also no longer really fit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-62242200252825663872012-07-06T11:55:17.879+02:002012-07-06T11:55:17.879+02:00The Reaction Force has 3 brigades, each with a Typ...The Reaction Force has 3 brigades, each with a Type 56 regiment. In total the army is retaining some 227 tanks, more than Germany which cut down to 225. <br /><br />In a major crisis, deploying two brigades from the Reaction force plus PARAs and Commandos would be the first option, so around 112 tanks could well go.Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-43709965919186800542012-07-06T11:53:28.394+02:002012-07-06T11:53:28.394+02:00Where are the 112 Tanks from? I count only 56/58 f...Where are the 112 Tanks from? I count only 56/58 from the main Reaction ForiceJeneral28https://www.blogger.com/profile/16332640271661260029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-49741904919848029312012-07-06T11:48:54.743+02:002012-07-06T11:48:54.743+02:00There have long been calls for giving each Command...There have long been calls for giving each Commando group a 110-or-so strong Assault Engineer squadron, which indeed i think was once, years and years ago, the case. <br /><br />Since the 3 Commando battlegroups enter readiness on rotation, it sure would greatly help if they each had their engineer element as well. <br />Problem is the money, as always, but i hope the Royal Marines try to bring this plan forwards in the next future. <br /><br />As to 1st Rifles leaving the brigade... well, that's my gut feeling. But for now it is a suspect, not at all a certainty. <br /><br />For the rest, thank you! Glad my posts are of help.Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-89763584400990361062012-07-06T11:45:09.696+02:002012-07-06T11:45:09.696+02:00Gabriele, as ever your articles and comment are ba...Gabriele, as ever your articles and comment are based on fact and give food for thought. I believe that many years ago the Bootnecks had "combat engineers" within their own ranks. Perhaps this may be a new or reintroduced? additional qualification for some (if 24 Cdo Regt does not revert to 59 Independent Cdo Squadron). We have seen this sort of change before (particularly when 16 Parachute Bde was supposedly done away with). I have also found it interesting that 3 Cdo Bde has stood up 30 IX Cdo and now stood up Fleet Protection Group as 43 Cdo. Could this be an indicator of 1 Rifles leaving the Brigade? I have found that usually 3 Cdo Bde reforms in a way that the Army adopts/modifies for itself ..... BRF for instance. As you indicate we still need lots of info on equipment and who gets what.Ronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-13883531233236557012012-07-06T11:18:45.008+02:002012-07-06T11:18:45.008+02:00By the way, a new official announcement from the A...By the way, a new official announcement from the Army proves me right: 104 Logistic Brigade stays and takes over the Joint Force Logistic Support role. http://www.army.mod.uk/news/24272.aspxGabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-47529174313803266742012-07-06T10:59:47.815+02:002012-07-06T10:59:47.815+02:00The Army will be capable to deploy a Division for ...The Army will be capable to deploy a Division for a six-months effort. Assuming elements from 16AA and 3rd Commando will make up part of it, 2 of the reaction brigades would likely make up the rest. <br /><br />That might mean 112 tanks deployed. Only 4 less than those that went to Iraq in 2003. It is not bad.Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-25690482704833730332012-07-06T10:57:48.269+02:002012-07-06T10:57:48.269+02:00So they assume they can conduct any operation with...So they assume they can conduct any operation with just 56 Challenger 2s?Jeneral28https://www.blogger.com/profile/16332640271661260029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-18678616995365517232012-07-06T10:46:48.791+02:002012-07-06T10:46:48.791+02:00No battle tanks in the Adaptable Division, no.No battle tanks in the Adaptable Division, no.Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-73808204964719781272012-07-06T10:46:02.553+02:002012-07-06T10:46:02.553+02:00Amazing that the GMLRS regiment is being removed. ...Amazing that the GMLRS regiment is being removed. The AS-90s are not strong artillery--even the German PzH 2000 shots a far longer range than the AS-90.<br /><br />It appears that the Adaptable Force only has Infantry Brigades/Battalions? No Challengers?Jeneral28https://www.blogger.com/profile/16332640271661260029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-43687177678729894132012-07-06T09:50:40.205+02:002012-07-06T09:50:40.205+02:00There is some politic compromise they had to adapt...There is some politic compromise they had to adapt to, but to say that this structure is not thought out is not correct. The structure is solid, overall, and makes sense. <br /><br />The loss of 39 regiment, as i said, does worry me, but my guess is that they'll use a reserve regiment to regroup GMLRS. <br /><br />As to the Core budget, we don't know what is in it and what is not, but internal studies are ongoing. If the army itself says that they want Mastiff and Jackal in the force, they evidently want these two in the Core to start with. <br /><br />Next thing they'll look into, i guess, will be Husky, Coyote and Foxhound. <br />They'd be a good bridging solution ahead of MRV(P). <br /><br />As to this "surprise" about Tories being bringers of cuts, i'm actually surprised myself to hear you britons surprised. <br />Has the devastating John Nott's strategic review been forgotten? He was a Tory, in a Tory government, and his review was a disgrace of horrendous proportions that had a big role in causing the Falklands War. <br />No one should forget the past.Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-7740694800834408302012-07-06T09:42:51.027+02:002012-07-06T09:42:51.027+02:00MRV(P) due to its role in the second-line would pr...MRV(P) due to its role in the second-line would probably fit kind of everywhere. In different ways and numbers, but it would be in the ORBATs of nearly all units. <br />It was us who wondered if it could not be made "everything-doing" by using it on the frontline as well, but the actual requirement is replacing Land Rovers and Pinzgauers and so along. It'll be quite ubiquitous.Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-71229525916865442212012-07-06T09:40:38.698+02:002012-07-06T09:40:38.698+02:00I think it does make sense indeed. Waiting for con...I think it does make sense indeed. Waiting for confirmations, though. <br /><br />For now, i'm relieved by the fact that the absurd idea of sharing support elements between 16AA and 3Cdo turned out being press's madness and nothing more. <br /><br />I'm just worried for the GMLRS and M3s, mainly. I hope to hear something soon about that.Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-87519471405839149282012-07-06T06:05:57.994+02:002012-07-06T06:05:57.994+02:00About Yeomanry, we have 14 Yeomanry Squadron. It i...About Yeomanry, we have 14 Yeomanry Squadron. It is approximately the number of Squadron for a supplemantary Yeomanry Regiment.Tripanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-26227622898699254542012-07-06T05:24:07.929+02:002012-07-06T05:24:07.929+02:00Well the future force 2020 with 5 MRB is out of th...Well the future force 2020 with 5 MRB is out of the window.<br /> There isn't any strategic planning gone into this if you look at it, they lost there bottle by not getting rid of 5 Scots to pander to the SNP the reduction to 9 cavalry regiments is bizarre ( at least my old regiment survived (for now))and the plan for 3 sabre Sqns of 18 tanks it just doesn't look thought out the 39 regiment RA is a divisional asset to split them between the field regiments is strange.<br /> The light cavalry in the adaptable brigades there equipement isn't even in the core budget yet so how will this go down well with the soldier on the ground this is another cost cutting plan I never thought I'd see the day that a consevative PM over saw the slow death of the British Army they've done more damage to the defence of the realm than the germans did .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-6502244945272900712012-07-06T03:58:39.250+02:002012-07-06T03:58:39.250+02:00Interestingly, based on our other discussion threa...Interestingly, based on our other discussion thread from earlier this week, the Reaction Force has Mech Info on Mastiff to be replaced by FRES UV, and the adaptable Force has regular and 'mirror' Reserve Infantry brigades labelled as 'Protected Mobility' on Foxhound, so where does the new MRV(P) fit in?jedhttp://www.twitter.com/jedpcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-69103030025889624892012-07-06T01:25:19.906+02:002012-07-06T01:25:19.906+02:00"My feeling is that 1st Rifles comes out of 3..."My feeling is that 1st Rifles comes out of 3rd Commando and 16AA also goes down to 3 regular battalions, but we will really have to wait, i fear."<br /><br />might make sense for 3Cdo and 16AAB to work on the rule of 3 (internally) as members of the reaction force, just as the heavy brigades do (externally).<br /><br />same pressures guiding deployment ambitions, etc.<br /><br />cheers Gabbie.jedibeeftrixhttp://jedibeeftrix.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-36264153365191889172012-07-06T00:39:54.390+02:002012-07-06T00:39:54.390+02:00Well, i guess it might be an option.Well, i guess it might be an option.Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-44998321519018760352012-07-06T00:39:24.538+02:002012-07-06T00:39:24.538+02:00I think not even the MOD has thought about it yet....I think not even the MOD has thought about it yet. The hope is for Scotland to stay.Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-6095818445166064172012-07-05T23:57:27.924+02:002012-07-05T23:57:27.924+02:00Gabriele
Thanks for the reply.
"As for GML...Gabriele <br /><br />Thanks for the reply.<br /><br />"As for GMLRS, separating it in batteries all over the place does not sound likely to me:"<br /><br />I wasn't quite meaning that. I meant that possibly one of the former AS90 regiments might take all the Regular GMLRS systems and combine them with either a Light Gun battery or an AS90 battery.MikeWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-92226134647519305832012-07-05T23:50:47.310+02:002012-07-05T23:50:47.310+02:00May I ask?
If and only if Scotland goes, how does ...May I ask?<br />If and only if Scotland goes, how does this, [if at all] effect army numbers, <br />From the 20,000<br />Thank youAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com