UK Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

These are very brave and outstanding young men. I shall render them a well deserved salute!

The Army and the Royal Marines still have the right stuff. Pros, just total pros.

The British Secretary of State for Defence, Des Browne, has announced an order for 2 new aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales - due to enter service in 2014 and 2016 respectively, displacing 65,000 tonnes.

More details to follow once there's an official report.

Defence Secretary Des Browne has welcomed the announcement by the Government today, Wednesday 25 July 2007, which will see a £7.7bn increase in the defence budget over the next three years.

Today's announcement also paves the way for the purchase of two new aircraft carriers, a decision which will offer unprecedented capabilities for the UK's Armed Forces.

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At last

I'm sad to say that like many people I'll believe this only when the second ship is commissioned. I also just hope that the price of this order isn't the curtailing of the F-35 order or the mothballing or sale of more escorts or an assault ship.

I have to say that I don't like the choice of the names Queen Elizabeth 2 and Prince of Wales for these carriers, previously on another thread we lamented the fact that the USN was getting lumbered with the name Gerald Ford for it's new carrier. I know that traditionally the reigning monarch has a warship named after them but say Queen Elizabeth 2 to people and most of them will think of the cruise ship! If it was up to me then these carriers would be getting the famous RN carrier names Eagle and Hermes.

Neutral Zone said:

Queen Elizabeth 2 and Prince of Wales

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It isn't QE2 - it's HMS Queen Elizabeth.

They're both fine names, Queen Elizabeth being able to refer to either of the two monarchs.

Thanks for the correction Fu, I'd seen some papers referring to it as Queen Elizabeth 2 and I assumed that name was official. It's also fitting as it was also the name of the superdreadnought that served well in both world wars. I just hope Prince of Wales has a better service life than the last ship to have that name!

Neutral Zone said:

I just hope Prince of Wales has a better service life than the last ship to have that name!

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Well, Prince of Wales wasn't able to operate 36 F-35s, backed up by Type-45 destroyers !

I have to say that I don't like the choice of the names Queen Elizabeth 2 and Prince of Wales for these carriers, previously on another thread we lamented the fact that the USN was getting lumbered with the name Gerald Ford for it's new carrier. I know that traditionally the reigning monarch has a warship named after them but say Queen Elizabeth 2 to people and most of them will think of the cruise ship! If it was up to me then these carriers would be getting the famous RN carrier names Eagle and Hermes.

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Lumbered is correct!..I fully agree with you on the names. Let the RN or USN name their ships ..not politicans

I actually quite like the names "Queen Elizabeth" and "Prince of Wales"! Makes them sound special.