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Now that the CV(F) saga has settled down to a return to no cats and traps perhaps the time has come for some radical thinking.
Brzail needs a new carrier to replace its existing former French conventional carrier and India is having difficulty completing its former Russian ship. Both countries are going to be important international partners in the years to come, and importantly both have a long tradition of working with the Royal Navy and using British equipment. Instead of messing around with the French, the Government and BAE systems should explore co-operation with these two countries. We have two hulls under construction, and the capacity to build or licence build more. The CV(F) design may not be perfect but it represents the culmication of years of experience by the RN and British Industry. Potentially some 8 to 10 hulls could be built in the UK, India and Brazil over the next decade. Other countries, notably Australia might also order the ships.
Brazil, India and the UK could also pool their expertise to generate a carrier born aicraft learning from the LCA/AMS/Typhoon/JCA but being simpler to build and operate. Ideally it should be able to take off from a Stobar ship like the Mig 29 but without the STOVL complexity of JCA. An unmanned version could be developed at the same time. The UK would have to technology transferbut in return we would be in a naval partnership with two growing powers in the world. Throw in Type 45s and Type 26s into the mix and we could be back to the heady days of the 50s and 60s but with a new twist that Brazil and India would be adding money and skills to a programme as well.
I know that you will all find lots of snags but to me this seems a great growth programme with a world peacekeeping dividend as well.
Brzail needs a new carrier to replace its existing former French conventional carrier and India is having difficulty completing its former Russian ship. Both countries are going to be important international partners in the years to come, and importantly both have a long tradition of working with the Royal Navy and using British equipment. Instead of messing around with the French, the Government and BAE systems should explore co-operation with these two countries. We have two hulls under construction, and the capacity to build or licence build more. The CV(F) design may not be perfect but it represents the culmication of years of experience by the RN and British Industry. Potentially some 8 to 10 hulls could be built in the UK, India and Brazil over the next decade. Other countries, notably Australia might also order the ships.
Brazil, India and the UK could also pool their expertise to generate a carrier born aicraft learning from the LCA/AMS/Typhoon/JCA but being simpler to build and operate. Ideally it should be able to take off from a Stobar ship like the Mig 29 but without the STOVL complexity of JCA. An unmanned version could be developed at the same time. The UK would have to technology transferbut in return we would be in a naval partnership with two growing powers in the world. Throw in Type 45s and Type 26s into the mix and we could be back to the heady days of the 50s and 60s but with a new twist that Brazil and India would be adding money and skills to a programme as well.
I know that you will all find lots of snags but to me this seems a great growth programme with a world peacekeeping dividend as well.