UK Defence Budget

[JohnR]

What was the problem with Panther, I have read that they were found to be very cramped when Bowman was fitted, reducing the crew from 4 to 3?

Correct ref crew reduction and they were also a bit of a maintenance hog. Also the rear stowage area was not included in the armour protected area. Did you notice that the Russians built it as the Rys' in Russia under licence?

Yes, I always thought that was weird, why did the Russians need Italian help design an AFV? I di d we adopted it, from reading the selection process, Panther was late entry that came from out of left field. I thought that the RG31 (?) was a better choice, it's hard to beat the S African's for Mine Resistant Vehicles.

I have wondered if the contract for Panther paid for Tony Blairs Tuscan Holidays?

 

[VIKINGTANK]

What was the problem with Panther, I have read that they were found to be very cramped when Bowman was fitted, reducing the crew from 4 to 3?

Correct ref crew reduction and they were also a bit of a maintenance hog. Also the rear stowage area was not included in the armour protected area. Did you notice that the Russians built it as the Rys' in Russia under licence?

Yes, I always thought that was weird, why did the Russians need Italian help design an AFV? I di d we adopted it, from reading the selection process, Panther was late entry that came from out of left field. I thought that the RG31 (?) was a better choice, it's hard to beat the S African's for Mine Resistant Vehicles.

I have wondered if the contract for Panther paid for Tony Blairs Tuscan Holidays?

The Russians, like the Chinese, are happy to look at other counties kit but rarely buy and produce under licence as they did with the Rys'. They would normally champion their own kit as they do now when they claim their own Tigr-M is best. They also looked at the Centauro B1:

Russia Testing Italian Centauro Wheeled Tanks - Defense Update:

Russia is testing Italy's Centauro ‘wheeled tank’ and considering building it under license. The company has already delivered two Centauro vehicles, the original design with the 105mm gun and another fitted with a Russian 125mm cannon.

defense-update.com

Agree with you on the RG31 it made far more sense. You might enjoy this:

UK Future Command and Liaison Vehicle | Joint Forces News

On the cusp of the 21st Century the UK Ministry of Defence announced a future requirement for a lightly armoured wheeled Command and Liaison Vehicle.

www.joint-forces.com

I liked the Alvis Scrab as well.

 

[JohnR]

Scarab was based on a S African design.

 

[Grey Havoc]

British government may drop upgrade plans for the Warrior fighting vehicle

Lockheed Martin UK executives are worried their upgrade proposal for the Warrior infantry fighting vehicle may not survive an upcoming government review of defense programs.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Regarding the Type 32 frigate, from back in November of last year:

Prime Minister announces new Royal Navy ship: What is the Type 32 frigate?

Frigates can be used for warfighting, maritime security, counter piracy and international engagement.

commonslibrary.parliament.uk

 

[Grey Havoc]

British Army wants more punch in its Boxer vehicle fleet

The service is looking at how it can increase the firepower of the new Boxer mechanized infantry vehicles to compensate for the decision to axe the more heavily armed Warrior armored vehicle from its lineup.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Lockheed slashes jobs after Warrior upgrade axed

US defence giant says cuts are a "direct result" of the Government's decision to abandon an upgrade to the armoured fighting vehicle

www.telegraph.co.uk

Defence giant Babcock to cut 1,000 jobs

(BBC News via MSN)

 

[Grey Havoc]

Fresh thinking on ‘close battles’ sealed British Warrior vehicle’s demise

"Were we going to pour very scarce, precious new money into a platform that was going to be nearly 50 years old by the time we were fielding it?"

www.defensenews.com

I am more than a bit dubious of this explanation. Sounds more like a case of trying to justify it after the fact.

 

[Fluff]

Has anyone in the British Army asked the Israeli army, how they still find a use for 1950's produced centurion chassis, and captured T55 chassis.

If I was going into close battle, I'd like a nammer.