- Joined
- 27 September 2006
- Messages
- 6,074
- Reaction score
- 6,187
Something that becomes clear when reading the CVA01 saga is that the RN did not have an accurate enough picture of what the Soviet Navy was doing.
Shaping the Royal Navy around the commitment to reinforce Singapore or intervene in quarrels in East Africa or the Gulf seemed to assume that Polaris meant there would be no conventional phase in any conflict with the Soviet Union.
When it dawns belatedly and under the cosh of a devalued Pound that East of Suez emerging nations are financially better able to look after their interests than the UK, the RN seeks to transform itself to deal with the Soviet Union.
This is only partially successful. The RN does work closely with the US in the N Atlantic especially in submarine patrols.
But the promised long range anti shipping missiles for RN surface ships and subs or RAF aircraft never materialise leaving the Soviet Navy with a clear advantage.
Seawolf and Seadart go some way to improve the survival chances of RN ships against Soviet missiles but with only 4 Exocet on a typical ship until the 80s the RN poses little threat to Kiev or Kirov groups.
Shaping the Royal Navy around the commitment to reinforce Singapore or intervene in quarrels in East Africa or the Gulf seemed to assume that Polaris meant there would be no conventional phase in any conflict with the Soviet Union.
When it dawns belatedly and under the cosh of a devalued Pound that East of Suez emerging nations are financially better able to look after their interests than the UK, the RN seeks to transform itself to deal with the Soviet Union.
This is only partially successful. The RN does work closely with the US in the N Atlantic especially in submarine patrols.
But the promised long range anti shipping missiles for RN surface ships and subs or RAF aircraft never materialise leaving the Soviet Navy with a clear advantage.
Seawolf and Seadart go some way to improve the survival chances of RN ships against Soviet missiles but with only 4 Exocet on a typical ship until the 80s the RN poses little threat to Kiev or Kirov groups.
