Pytanie #1:

What ever happened to the Royal navy? Can we cast adrift Tony Blair?

Ok... im sick and tired of our leaders broken promises... We have no new carriers, only one new destroyer on the water (which will be at least a year working up) and the rest of the escort program has been reduced to 6 hulls (i doubt if we see more then 4!). We have 10 knot assault ships, a fleet without fuel and our subs will wear out long before the astutes are ready (and we will be lucky to see more then 2 of them!!!).

So, what happend? did IQ's drop at the admiralty or did they all lose their spines one night? I have been a defence writer for 10 years now and i have had way tooo much.... in fact im about ready to break a number of sacred trusts... going political and kicking up a regular S$%T STORM would be so tempting right now... do you think the public will understand why we have blown the defence budget for the next 5 years on paperwork... with out a single new ship commisioning? I know i dont.
Anyone got any insights?
Note: once upon a time i might have been less inclined to be "sensational" but not now. The programs are shrinking.. it was once 14 new destroyers...now its 6 with one ready for trials and two on slip... if the fourth shows up i will eat my keyboard. Also the sub situation is worse, we need 6 ssn's in full commision at all times.. when the last two s class payoff we will be able to operate 5 tops... when the T's start paying off it will only get worse and the Barrow yard state on the record that only 2 are on order....DO THE MATH! (to the navy officer...we infantry types cant add up beyond ten you know old chap...so perhaps you can explain how the situation isnt so bad?).

"It is upon the navy..." winston knew what he was talking about
pps... the astute will launch yes...but working up will take forever as its a new class and we can thus expect at least three years before its in service.
ppps... bugger! im out of gin, anyone got a bottle of saph spare?
Join the army? the only mob worth joining was axed a while ago... and im not joining the bloody duke of lanc's! Im a Border lad or nothing... so much for one of the oldest regt in the uk order of battle :(
Bugger Europe! what about CHINA! what about our commitments toi the commonwealth? Or do we only exist as hired muscle for Brussels?





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