Plans to base new carriers overseas

[Crennis]

Last months Warships IFR magazine highlights the fact the MOD is looking at the possibility of permanently basing one of the new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers in Gibraltar. I wonder what the Spanish would make of the naval base on the Rock being expanded. Its rather a large leap from the two patrol boats currently based there.

[Guest]

Hi Crennis

Isn't it more to do with the fact that in the the UK there are only 3 places that have  dry docks that will be able to handle the new Carriers - Two in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland.

There was discussion on where the Carriers would be based @ http://navy-matters.beedall.com/cvf1-21.htm - talk was revolving around improvements to Portsmouth?

Gibraltar doesn't have a dry dock to cope with the size either  :-o

Regards

Steve Ellwood

[Crennis]

Hi Steve,

I think the main argument given was the assumption that alot of the new ships missions would be in the Med and East of Suez hence cutting down the travelling time for deployments. I visited Rosyth recently and the dry dock in which the carriers will be built is set to be expanded, Im sure if the MOD is serious about Pompey or Gib they'll invest in the expansion of dry docks there too (probably at the cost of 3 or 4 more frigates). :-(

[henrycourt]

Forget all you've heard or read about this possible scenario !!! I suspect the real reason for this possibly happening is that this administration that we currently live under will do anything they can on the CHEAP. It's probably much cheaper to base a ship in Gibraltar than in the U.K. Forget talk of being nearer missions in the Med or East of Suez, It's money that talks. Rgds jw.

[Guest]

Hi John

Yes agreed, UK PLC seem to have forgotten about that small word 'quality'.

However would it really be cheaper to base one of the Carriers in Gibraltar - wouldn't it cost more to have a maintenance crew either based there of flown in as and when needed. Also what about the cost of crew changes - could well be that the MOD are trying to save 2-3 days worth of fuel for the journey of the ship from say Pompey to Gib.

Of course why not take this to its ultimate conclusion and have the vessel based in somewhere like Bahrain, then it would be very handy for the current theatres of operation ;-)

Regards

Steve Ellwood

[henrycourt]

Just save money and use the locals and anyone from across the straits !! How does that sound. Rgds jw.