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Guys what's UK's doctrine behind having only 400-500 tanks?

Island nations don't tend to face a ground threat. the UK needs enough to secure its expeditionary goals, that's it. The UK has rightfully focused on Air and Sea defense, since as Japan has shown throughout its history, these are the most prominent threats to an island nation.
 
Royal Navy

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The UK has rightfully focused on Air and Sea defense, since as Japan has shown throughout its history, these are the most prominent threats to an island nation.
If this is us focusing on Air and Sea god help us.....
 
Transporting an Enormous Aircraft Carrier, Piece By Piece

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BAE Systems has just published an amazing time lapse video showing how the largest section of Britain’s second Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier was tossed and towed to Rosyth Dockyard from the dock in Glasgow where it was built.

Lower Block 04 is the largest hull section of HMS Prince Of Wales, and the 11,200 tonne piece of steel contains the hangar, machinery space, mission systems compartments and accommodation. It was transported on a barge to the assembly site, and the 600 mile journey took more than five days. Now you can see it all crammed into a one-and-a-half minute video.

 
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Tornado Tails take to the Skies

Royal Air Force Marham saw a historic event last week as four of it’s Tornado GR4 aircraft, alongside a fifth aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth, took part in a routine training sortie with a twist.

Four of the jets carried a special centenary painted tail fin commemorating the 100th anniversary of each individual squadron with the fifth jets tail fin celebrating 40 years of the Tornado.

The first Squadron to pass the 100 year mark was Number IX(B) Squadron who were formed at St Omer in France on the 8th December 1914. As the pioneers of night flying the squadron were given their motto Per Nocto Volamus (Throughout the Night We Fly) and their famous green bat, which was the night camoflague colour, is depicted on the tail fin.

The second jet was from Number 12(B) Squadron who celebrated their centenary on Valentines Day this year. They were formed at Netheravon on 14 February 1915. In 1926 they took delivery of the Fairey Fox aircraft which gave them their emblem of the fox, as depicted on their tail fin, and their motto ‘Lead the Field’ in recognition of their development of daylight bombing tactics.

The third jet from Marham was from 31 Squadron who are also known as the Goldstars. They are the youngest of the three Squadrons whose anniversary is due later this year on 11th October 1915. Their tail depicts the Gold Star of India which is in recognition of them being the first operational military unit in Indian skies assisting the army in dealing with tribal unrest hence their motto ‘First in Indian Skies’.

The last aircraft from Marham was the jet displaying the 40th Anniversary tail fin which was commissioned in 2014 to mark 40 years of the Tornado.

The four aircraft left Marham for the routine training sortie and met up with the fifth aircraft from XV Sqn, the operational conversion unit based at RAF Lossiemouth. XV Squadron were formed in Farnborough on 1st March 1915. Their tail fin depicts the Hinds Head from their squadron emblem. The original emblem of a Harts head was modified to the Hinds head in 1927 to depict the aircraft that was in service at that time.

The tail fin designs were the culmination of work between our industrial partner SERCO and the individual squadron’s. The tradition of painting tail fins remains a time honoured way in which to commemorate important milestones in the RAF’s history. SERCO, the surface finishing specialists based at RAF Marham liaised very closely with the squadrons to produce a unique design for each individual tail fin. Once the designs were finalised and authorised the aircraft went to the SERCO paintshop for the work of art to be created.

Group Captain Rich Davies, Station Commander of RAF Marham flew the 40th anniversary jet and led the sortie from RAF Marham. He said “ It was with a huge sense of pride that I was able to lead this unique formation of aircraft each celebrating their 100 years. It is amazing to think that there are four squadrons, flying the same type of aircraft, that will commemorate their centenary’s within 12 months of each other. This is definitely something that will never be repeated. Each individual squadron has is own strong and varied history but collectively they come together as one Tornado Force which is still delivering on Operations today across the globe as they did a centery ago. The aircraft may have changed greatly over the years but the ethos and teamwork which draws the squadrons together is the same today as it was for squadron members 100 years ago.

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Amazing Time-Lapse Video Shows Britain’s Monstrous Warship Getting Her Radar Eye

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BAE Systems’ high-tech 3D radar system called Artisan has been successfully installed to the Royal Navy’s future aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth.

With the help of the cutting edge radar operators will be able to track up to 800 potential targets simultaneously and to detect objects as small as a tennis ball and traveling at three times the speed of sound more than 15 miles away.

Cramming a full day’s work into one minute, the time lapse video below shows us how the British warship builders lifted the device (weighing 1543 pounds!) into place 100 feet above the flight deck.

 
I don't consider Britain friend still I would give fair comments. For me British is committing suicide by reducing number of troops. The amount of threat Britain faces reducing troops is nothing but suicidal move. Britain should have Land Force or Army of at least 150000 troops.
 
I don't consider Britain friend still I would give fair comments. For me British is committing suicide by reducing number of troops. The amount of threat Britain faces reducing troops is nothing but suicidal move. Britain should have Land Force or Army of at least 150000 troops.

I agree our leaders are crazy trying o cut down our troops to such an extent. Hopefully Russia's recent aggression/threats will make them think twice.

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HMCS Winnipeg transits the Royal Docks
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The last week has seen a number of Warships moored at the Excel exhibition centre for the DSEi 2015 event and most of the ships have now left – late this afternoon it was the turn of the Canadian ship HMCS Winnipeg to transit the docks on her way out to the Thames.

When you see the now deserted waters of the Royal Docks with a ship in them you realise the immense scale of the water area and can only image what the scene would have been like when the docks were full of ships.


The vast open space of the Royal Albert dock

As she continued on her way she passed London City Airport which is the new source of transport activity in the Royal Docks with the landmarks of London in the background.


HMCS Winnipeg and the tugs passing London City airport

The video shows Svitzer tug Cecilia bringing HMCS Winnipeg in to the KGV Lock followed by a picture of her and the second Svitzer tug Mercia waiting for the lock gates to close.



Waiting in the lock

The following two pictures show HMCS Winnipeg waiting in the lock for the water levels to be equalised with the Thames.


Three men in a boat… or is it on a roof?


HMCS Winnipeg in the KGV lock compound

Then, with the outer lock gates opened it is out into the river Thames.


Moving slowly from the lock to the river


Starting the turn downstream
 
Safe voyage home to the crew of HMCS Winnipeg and thanks for visiting London’s Royal Docks.


HMCS Winnipeg homeward bound

Pictures of the other ships and boats that attended the DSEi 2015 event can be seen here.

This entry was posted in Boats, KGV Lock, Navy, Royal Albert Dock, Royal Docks and tagged #dlr_blog,@AJBC_1, boat, Canadian Navy, East London, England, FFH 338, Frigate, Gallions Point, Gallions Reach,HMCS Winnipeg, KGV Lock, King George V lock, London, London Borough of Newham, London's Royal Docks, Naval Vessel, Navy, Newham, North Woolwich, River Thames, Royal Albert Dock, Royal Docks,ship, Svitzer, The Royal Group of Docks, Tug, UK, Vessel, Warship on September 19, 2015.
DSEi is back in town
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Every two years the Royal Docks actually has multiple large ships in it – not the numbers of it’s heyday but as the waters are normally devoid of large ships it is an impressive sight to see.

The cause of the sudden influx of maritime visitors is the Defence exhibition taking place at London’s Excel exhibition centre and the DSEi show makes full use of the dock waters to provide additional exhibition space.

Here are some pictures of the ships arriving in the Royal Docks.


BNS Castor P901


FGS Ludwigshafen am Rhein F264


HMCS Winnipeg FFH338


HMS Hurworth M39


HMS Iron Duke F234


HMS Tyne P281


INS Trikand F51
 
HMS St Albans is one of the Royal Navy’s thirteen Type 23 Frigates in operational use and was the last of the class to be commissioned in 2002.


HMS St Albans in West India Dock

She is a regular visitor to London (having last visited in December 2014) and, like this occasion, visits in connection with events for her affiliated city of St Albans.


HMS St Albans in West India Dock showing her weapons and radar

During her eight day stay in West India Dock she has hosted numerous events and the crew have participated in a number of activities but on Saturday 11th July she was open to the public for tours of the deck that allowed visitors to see various displays of her equipment and to talk to the crew.


The business end HMS St Albans – view from the turret of the 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun


The bridge and Harpoon missile launcher on HMS St Albans

She also had a Merlin HM2 helicopter embarked that was displayed on the flight deck.


Merlin HM2 on flight deck of HMS St Albans

Update 15th July 2015 – HMS St Albans has now left London.


HMS St Albans approaching the Thames Barrier
 
HMS St Albans approaching the Thames Barrier


HMS St Albans after passing the Thames Barrier

More pictures of Type 23 Frigates, including more of HMS St Albans, can be seen here.

This entry was posted in Boats, Navy, River Thames and tagged #dlr_blog, East London, England, F83,Helicopter, HMS St Albans, London, Merlin HM2, Naval Vessel, River Thames, RN, Royal Navy, ship, Type 23 Frigate, Vessel, Warship, West India Dock on July 12, 2015.
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HMS Ocean on the Thames
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HMS Ocean, pennant number L12, is one of the Royal Navy’s amphibious assault ship and sole landing platform helicopter (LPH).



It is designed to transport troops and equipment and then put them ashore using either helicopters (she can support all current UK Military helicopter types) or the 4 embarked Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) as well as having loading ramps that can be used whilst in port.



HMS Ocean had previously visited London on two occasions in 2012 as part of the Olympic Games security measures and has recently undergone maintenance prior to assuming the role as the Royal Navy’s Flagship and this visit was in part to help commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe day.



The ship had taken part in the recent Joint Warrior exercise off Scotland and was return to her homeport via a port visit to her affiliated city of Sunderland and London.

On this occasion two helicopters were on board , both being Sea King ASaC7 AEW helicopters.



On the Sunday HMS Ocean was open to visitors who were able to see inside her helicopter hanger and to go up on to the flight deck where one of the Sea Kings and an LCVP were open for inspection.



 

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