The main body of this is published tomorrow.

Yes, and some rather ominous rumours floating about, as other threads and posts attest.

HMS Ark Royal gone

F-35B STOVL out, F-35C in (maybe)

HMS Prince of Wales delayed

HMS Queen Elizabeth built but not fielded, held in reserve or sold

Nimrod MRA4 gone

R.1 Sentinel (ASTOR) retired

etc

 

Wow ... just wow

HMS Ark Royal gone

F-35B STOVL out, F-35C in (maybe)

HMS Prince of Wales delayed

HMS Queen Elizabeth built but not fielded, held in reserve or sold

Nimrod MRA4 gone

R.1 Sentinel (ASTOR) retired

etc

 

Wow ... just wow

 

Harriers going next year

Tornado GR.4 safe for the time being

 

Important bit for us though;

 

We will fit a catapult to the operational carrier to enable it to fly a version of the Joint Strike Fighter with a longer range and able to carry more weapons.

 

That means you could get Rafales or Super Hornets flying off the new carrier.

 

You can read it here

Important bit for us though;

We will fit a catapult to the operational carrier to enable it to fly a version of the Joint Strike Fighter with a longer range and able to carry more weapons.

That means you could get Rafales or Super Hornets flying off the new carrier.

 

That's keeping a stiff upper lip!

That means you could get Rafales or Super Hornets flying off the new carrier.

I would go for Super Hornets and Growlers. Proven package and available today. The F-35 has stealth advantages, but short legs and much more expensive (F/A-18 E/F $60M per unit versus $89 - 200M estimated price for the F-35).

 

Given previous US procurement programs the cost will only go up. Hey, if it is good enough for the Aussies, it should be good enough for the UK.

R.1 Sentinel (ASTOR) retired

That was unthinkable for me, and the paper literally says

withdraw the Sentinel airborne ground surveillance aircraft once it is no longer required to support operations in Afghanistan.

, but I think in a lot of future similar scenarios, from Somalia to Iran.

And no future Nimrod neither Harriers from 2011. Mmm, I'm thinking in a couple of possible scenarios ...

Important bit for us though;

We will fit a catapult to the operational carrier to enable it to fly a version of the Joint Strike Fighter with a longer range and able to carry more weapons.

That means you could get Rafales or Super Hornets flying off the new carrier.

 

That's keeping a stiff upper lip!

 

I'd better clarify; French Rafales and American Super Hornets. Nice bit of cross-decking could go on.

From Defense Aerospace

 

Strategic Defence and Security Review

(Source: UK Prime Minister’s Office; issued Oct. 19, 2010)

 

Prime Minister David Cameron has unveiled details of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).

 

This is the first time that a UK government has taken decisions on its defence, security, intelligence, resilience, development and foreign affairs capabilities in the round, setting out the delivery of the ends set out in the National Security Strategy.

 

It follows the National Security Strategy, published yesterday, and sets out the Government’s determination to make the right decisions for the long term defence and prosperity of the country.

 

Speaking to military personnel earlier today, the PM admitted that some “incredibly difficult” decisions had been made in preparation for the SDSR.

 

In a statement to Parliament, Mr Cameron said:

 

“There is no cut whatsoever in the support for our forces in Afghanistan… Furthermore, every time the chiefs of defence staff have advised me that a particular change might have implications for our operations in Afghanistan, either now or in the years to come, I have heeded that advice.

 

“In fact, we have been and will be providing for our brave forces in Afghanistan: more equipment to counter the threat from IEDs; more protected vehicles – like the warthog heavy protection vehicle which will be out there by the end of the year; more surveillance capability, including unmanned aircraft systems; and crucially, at last, the right level of helicopter capability.”

 

Click here for Prime Minister David Cameron’s statement to the House of Commons on the Strategic Defence and Security Review (HTML format).

 

Click here for the full review (75 pages in PDF format) on the UK government website

 

Click here to watch Cameron’s announcement and debate on the House of Commons web TV service. (Cameron speech begins at 15:32)

 

(ends)

 

***

 

Strategic Defence and Security Review Published

(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Oct. 19, 2010)

 

The outcome of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) which sets out how the government will deliver the priorities identified in the National Security Strategy has been published today, Tuesday, 19 October 2010.

 

“Securing Britain in an Age of Uncertainty: The Strategic Defence and Security Review,” details how our Armed Forces will be reshaped to tackle emerging and future threats.

There have been two main priorities in the review:

-- to ensure that our mission in Afghanistan is protected;

-- to make sure we emerge with a coherent Defence capability in 2020.

 

Afghanistan remains the MOD's top priority and we will do all we can to ensure success.

 

Defence cannot continue on unaffordable footing. The SDSR aims to bring defence plans, commitments and resources into balance so that we have a coherent defence capability and a sustainable defence programme for the future.

 

Secretary of State for Defence, Dr Liam Fox said:

"The frontline has been protected because Afghanistan is the Government's top priority.

 

"Tough decisions are required to reconfigure our Armed Forces to confront future threats whilst we also tackle the £38bn deficit that has accumulated in the 12 years since the last Defence Review.

 

"The MOD must become as effective and as efficient as possible. Lord Levene will help me deliver radical reform to streamline the Department."

 

***

 

British Defence Secretary Liam Fox comments the Strategic Defence and Security Review. Note the NATO flag, while the European Union flag is conspicuously absent.

 

Permanent Secretary, Sir Bill Jeffrey and Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup together with the Service Chiefs and other members of the Defence Board have been closely involved throughout the Review.

 

There will be some major changes to force elements of all three Services to enable them to meet future force structures.

 

The Review will lead to reductions in manpower over the next five years across all three Services and the civilians in Defence:

 

-- The Royal Navy will reduce by around 5,000 personnel

-- The Army by 7,000

-- The RAF by 5,000,

-- Civilians by 25,000

 

No changes will be made to front line Army, Royal Marine or RAF Regiment Units while operations in Afghanistan continue.

 

Other impacts on the three Services will include:

 

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy will have a number of capabilities, including the Trident Force, based around the four Vanguard-class submarines, one of which is always on patrol.

 

The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier will give the UK political and military flexibility in responding to crises. It will routinely have 12 Joint Strike Fighters, plus helicopters embarked for operations. The aircraft's 700 mile range over land and sea, will enable it to carry out a broad range of missions.

 

The Royal Navy will be equipped with 19 frigates and destroyers to protect a Naval Task Group and meet our standing commitments at home and overseas. These will include six new Type 45 destroyers and new Type 26 frigates.

 

This force, though smaller than currently, will provide military flexibility and choice across a variety of operations from full-scale warfare, through coercion and reassurance to presence, and maritime security (in particular protecting trade and energy supplies).

 

Seven new Astute class submarines will contribute to the protection of our nuclear deterrent and Naval Task Groups.

 

3 Commando Brigade will provide one element of our very high readiness response force.

The Royal Marines will be able to land and sustain a Commando Group by helicopter, and with protective vehicles, logistics and command and control support from a specialist landing and command ship.

 

In order to meet this new structure the Royal Navy will:

-- Reduce Royal Navy service personnel by around 5,000 to a total of about 30,000 by 2015, and with an assumption, for now, of a requirement of about 29,000 by 2020;

-- Decommission HMS Ark Royal immediately;

-- Decommission either the helicopter landing ship HMS Ocean or HMS Illustrious following a short study of which would provide the most effective helicopter platform capability, and place one landing and command ship at extended readiness;

-- Decommission four frigates and a Bay-class amphibious support ship;

-- Rationalise the Royal Navy estate.

 

Army

The Army will be structured around five multi-role brigades each including reconnaissance, armoured mechanised and light infantry forces with supporting units of equipment and enablers. We will keep one brigade at high readiness available for an intervention operation and four in support to ensure our ability to sustain an enduring stabilisation operation.

 

The Army will retain 16 Air Assault Brigade, a high-readiness intervention brigade with supporting units, trained and equipped to be one of the first ground forces to intervene in a new conflict.

 

The Army will also retain the ability to command operations at very senior level through the UK-led Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) headquarters (part of NATO). And we will retain our capacity to deliver one UK, fully deployable, senior level (divisional) headquarters, and the ability to regenerate a second deployable divisional headquarters.

 

In order to meet this new structure the Army will:

-- Reduce by around 7,000 to about 95,000 personnel by 2015, but with no changes to combat units involved in Afghanistan, and an assumption, for now, of a requirement of about 94,000 by 2020;

-- Reduce by one the number of deployable brigades, as we restructure to five multi-role brigades;

-- Reduce our holdings of Challenger 2 tanks by around 40% and our heavy artillery by around 35%;

-- Significantly reduce our non-deployable regional administrative structure;

-- Rationalise our deployable headquarters by reducing the communications and logistics support to Headquarters ARRC and convert the second of our operational divisional headquarters to a force preparation role.

 

Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force's future capabilities will include a fleet of two of the most capable fast jets anywhere in the world: a modernised multi-role Typhoon fleet and the Joint Strike Fighter to provide Combat ISTAR capabilities.

 

It will also have strategic surveillance and intelligence platforms as part of our broader ISTAR capability including: E-3D Sentry AWACS to provide airborne command, control and surveillance; Rivet Joint signals intelligence aircraft to provide independent strategic intelligence gathering; and a range of remotely piloted air systems.

 

The air transport fleet will be upgraded with the addition of A400M transport aircraft and A330 future strategic tanker and transport aircraft as well as the planned C17 fleet. These aircraft will enable us to deploy rapidly, support and recover UK forces and their equipment anywhere in the world, and provide airborne refuelling to maximise the range and endurance of our aircraft.

 

The support helicopter capability (both RAF and RN) will also provide battlefield mobility from land and sea, based on Chinook heavy and Merlin medium-lift helicopters, able to move personnel and equipment rapidly over considerable distances. (N.B.: Cameron told the House of Commons that 14 new Chinooks would be ordered, bringing the total fleet to 60 aircraft—Ed.)

 

In addition, RAF Regiment Force Protection squadrons at high readiness will protect deployed aircraft and personnel in hostile areas and provide elements of Defence's Joint CBRN detection capabilities.

 

In order to meet this new structure the Royal Air Force will:

-- Reduce by around 5000 personnel to about 33,000 by 2015, and with an assumption, for now, of a requirement of about 31,500 by 2020;

-- Withdraw the C-130 Hercules transport fleet ten years earlier than planned as we transition to the more capable and larger A400M;

-- Withdraw the Sentinel surveillance aircraft once it is no longer required to support operations in Afghanistan;

-- Rationalise the RAF estate;

-- Retain Tornados, which will continue to operate in Afghanistan;

-- Remove Harrier from service in the transition to a future fast jet force of Typhoon and JSF. This will mean a gap for carrier fast jet operations. JSF, like Harrier, will be operated jointly by RAF and Royal Navy pilots;

-- Not bring into service the Nimrod MRA4;

-- Withdraw VC-10 and the three variants of Tristar aircraft from 2013 as we transition towards the more capable A330 Future Strategic Transport and Tanker Aircraft.

 

A study will be undertaken by the leadership of the regular and Reserves into the future role and structure of the Reserves. We expect this study to take about six months.

 

Changes on this scale cannot be managed by the usual manning regulators. A redundancy scheme will be run for Service Personnel and a paid Early Release Scheme for civilians in accordance with the usual arrangements for such schemes, including - in the case of civilians - consultation with the Trade Unions.

 

Much effort will now be required to work through the detailed implications of the various SDSR decisions and their implementation.

 

Part of this will be the work of the Defence Reform Unit, which is looking at the organisation of MOD and will report in July 2011. This will ensure Defence is delivered as effectively and efficiently as possible. Reforms will be implemented as the review progresses.

Wow that's a huge reduction in personnel, that's not going to help their unemployment rate either. 40% of their Challenger tanks no new nimrods no c130's 19 destroyer and frigates. Crap that's a small force.

Yep; it's small. We are no longer capable of undertaking another Telic (the 2003 invasion of Iraq) let alone a Granby (the 1991 Gulf War)

Wow that's a huge reduction in personnel, that's not going to help their unemployment rate either.

 

Nor are the likely 500,000 public sector cuts. Unions are not happy.

Makes me think where does one look if they want to know a countries current major military assets for the purpose of writing a current scenario?

PS - A silly question, but have the government sliced their own salaries and allowances with the same 'diligence'?

Don

Makes me think where does one look if they want to know a countries current major military assets for the purpose of writing a current scenario?

Don

 

Jane's, Scramble.nl, defence ministry sites...

 

There's also the International Institute of Strategic Studies' The Military Balance, published annually.