Defence Review Overview

[thevulcan]

RAF:
-20 pumas retired
- 9 Chinooks retired
-14 C-130J retired
- 5 Sentry's retired
- 25 Typhoons retired
- Hawk T1 retired
+ 48 F35B for now
+ 3 Wedgetail based at lossie
Army:
- 76 Challenger II
- 700 Warrior fighting vehicles
- 3500 personnel
+ 150 Challenger III
Navy:
- 2 frigates

Link below:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/b ... s-23774208

[Phoon]

Actually worse than predicted. A complete stab in the back to all armed forces. Not a review, an absolute slaughter. Cuts upon cuts. Also goes against what was agreed in 2015, threat levels have changed very little in the last six years.

[reaper493]

Can you please provide a link to your source?

Mike

[thevulcan]

Link posted Mike just watched the announcement myself there are a few more things to add but the bulk is there.

[reaper493]

Thanks!!

Does this mean the Puma fleet is no more?

Sentry wise, ZH106 hasn't flown since August, so guessing this will be the 5th to retire.

[TonyO]

Link to the document here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... ve_age.pdf

[Phil]

You would have thought that they could get the detail correct in the document. It doesn’t really instil confidence.

7.39. The Army is retiring its oldest CH-47 Chinook helicopters and investing, alongside the US, in newer variants of this operationally proven aircraft, enhancing capability, efficiency and interoperability. Our AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters will be upgraded to a state-of-the-art capability by 2025. Investment in a new medium lift helicopter in the mid-2020s will enable a consolidation of the Army’s disparate fleet of medium lift helicopters from four platform types to one; including the replacement of Puma. The Army will also retain and upgrade Watchkeeper.

[Nighthawke]

If the Hawk T.1 is to be retired does that also include the Red Arrows without specifically saying so?

[thevulcan]

If the Hawk T.1 is to be retired does that also include the Red Arrows without specifically saying so?

On page 60 of the document above it states that the Reds will be flying into the 2030's presumably on T2 rather then T1 however no mention of hawks at all after 2030.

[Fighterfoto]

Reds will continue to fly the T1.

[Nighthawke]

Thank you - good news for the Reds and their supporters.

[Fighterfoto]

You would have thought that they could get the detail correct in the document. It doesn’t really instil confidence.

The Army hold the purse strings for support helicopters so it’s accurate.

[Snoop 95]

Having skimmed through the above document one thing I take as a positive is that, in 7.41, it is stated that "we will acquire more than the 48 F35B's to which we are committed."

[thevulcan]

Only 20 pumas retired leaving 3 in service?

[Phil]

The Army hold the purse strings for support helicopters so it’s accurate.

[pg1610]

E-3 Sentry retired 2021 E-7 Wedgetail operational 2023 (assuming all goes well and does not slip) so a near two year gap in AWACS capability

Mid 2020s new medium lift helicopter to replace 4 types , assume this is Puma, Merlin, Wildcat and Bell 212 ?

Ref Hawks can the T.1 remain in red Arrows use if mainline operations have ended , seems a little strange as a cost saving method if they have to keep a reasonable size fleet for one small squadron ?
Would there be enough T.2s to fulfill the Red Arrows role ?
Would it mean the Red Arros become responsible for all servicing of the few T.1s they keep hold of ?

[Thunder]

as we fully establish all seven operational Typhoon Squadrons and grow the Lightning II Force, increasing the fleet size beyond the 48 aircraft that we have already ordered.

above extract from the published paper, says that all 7 operational sqns of Typhoon will be fully established, yet it mentions later on that all Tranche1 a/c will be retired by 2025. Does that mean that 9 and 12 Sqns will get current Tranche 2/3 a/c from existing stocks or an order for new Tranche 4 jets will be made in the future?

Also note it mentions that it’s the UK’s intention to increase the F-35 fleet.

The first post by The Vulcan is somewhat misleading as the retirement of Puma isn’t actually mentioned, just that it will be replaced in the mid 2020’s by another type which will replace 4 different types(unless it’s mentioned somewhere else in the report).

[Enobob]

thevulcan,

Why just list the negative cuts and retirements?


RAF:
-20 pumas retired. To be replaced by a new Medium Lift Helicopter.
- 9 Chinooks retired. To be replaced by new build Chinooks.
-14 C-130J retired
- 5 Sentry's retired. Only 3 in service in 2021.
- 25 Typhoons retired. All seven squadrons to be retained and a/c improved.
- Hawk T1 retired. Red Arrows shown as still existing in 2030's
+ 48 F35B for now. Commitment to procure more than the 48.
+ 3 Wedgetail based at lossie


Army:
- 76 Challenger II. 148 upgraded to Challenger III
- 700 Warrior fighting vehicles. To be retained and replaced by Boxer. Less than 400 in service in 2021.
- 3500 personnel
+ 150 Challenger III
Navy:
- 2 frigates

[Alf]

Mid 2020s new medium lift helicopter to replace 4 types , assume this is Puma, Merlin, Wildcat and Bell 212 ?

Maybe Puma, Gazelle, Bell 212 , Bell 412.. think Merlin and Wildcat have many more years of service ahead.

[thevulcan]

Hence the plusses Enbob for the positive things. Didn't get around to listing all of it.