Britain's imperialist future.

[Sam Lord]

True enough, there are quite significant gas reserves to be tapped into ... yet having settled on these 'wet rocks' in the 1760ies certainly helps the Brits from a legal point of view (and the 2 new QE class carriers will only emphasize their claim). .

Funny how they weren't concerned about the legal pont of view when they invaded Iraq.

[TotalMayhem]

Funny how they weren't concerned about the legal pont of view when they invaded Iraq.

Of course, their new carriers will have to play a role in their 'funnier' claims too, not denying that.

[Sam Lord]

Of course, their new carriers will have to play a role in their 'funnier' claims too, not denying that.

It is my understanding that they will be without carriers for about 10 years.

People should not ignore windows of opportunity.

[TotalMayhem]

It is my understanding that they will be without carriers for about 10 years.

People should not ignore windows of opportunity.

I think Queen Elizabeth is scheduled to enter service in 2015 and Prince of Wales in 2018. Illustrious still remains in reserve although she's no longer equipped with Harriers.

[Cáthasaigh]

It is my understanding that they will be without carriers for about 10 years.

People should not ignore windows of opportunity.

Have no fear Sam, specialised teams of subaqua saboteurs are being trained off the coast of Donegal

[Sam Lord]

I think Queen Elizabeth is scheduled to enter service in 2015 and Prince of Wales in 2018.

I am fairly confident that the British ruling class will be in the dustbin of history by 2015 so it is moot point.

Illustrious still remains in reserve although she's no longer equipped with Harriers.

Helicopters. Piff .....

[Sam Lord]

Have no fear Sam, specialised teams of subaqua saboteurs are being trained off the coast of Donegal

omg ...

[Cáthasaigh]

[ame="www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm0z7UflGRg"]YouTube - U-96 Das Boot[/ame]

[C. Flower]

42,000 unemployed people with military training. Hmmmm...

[Sam Lord]

YouTube - U-96 Das Boot

That is one rinky dink little model.

Often on a evening as I sat out enjoying the peace and solitude of beautiful Carlingford Lough it would strike me what great utility could be had from something like it.

[TotalMayhem]

That is one rinky dink little model.

Speaking of subs, in August the first of the new British nuclear missile subs, HMS Astute, entered service, 6 more to follow.

And speaking of models, Spielberg sank and almost wrecked one of Petersen's models (the bigger one) in La Rochelle when they brorrowed it to shoot the submarine scenes for Raiders of the Lost Ark.

And yes, Illustrious and Invincible only carry choppers at the moment, but never underestimate the Brits, they're quite good at improvising, there are still plenty Harriers around and chaps to fly them.

[Sam Lord]

.... chaps to fly them.

Good chap, Biggles!

What ho, Gimlet. That will teach those darkies a thing or two.

[morticia]

Cammy announcing the odd little military snip on Sky news today. However, his overlords in Washington have expressed concern about "defense" cuts, so he's promising to keep military spending at 2% of GDP. Meanwhile, UK pensioners are expected to get by on 400 quid a month, and are still expected to pay council tax if they have more than minimal savings.

I despair....

[C. Flower]

Cammy announcing the odd little military snip on Sky news today. However, his overlords in Washington have expressed concern about "defense" cuts, so he's promising to keep military spending at 2% of GDP. Meanwhile, UK pensioners are expected to get by on 400 quid a month, and are still expected to pay council tax if they have more than minimal savings.

I despair....

I agree with you. I watched C4 news - half an hour of the military moaning about a few percentage cut off a massive budget - is it something like 23 warships down to 19 ?? and any capacity change at all?

Big scare stories about no more "enduring" colonial ops like Afghanistan and Iraq (2 x beaten tickets).

Trident ? Aircraft carriers ? Cyber war ?

[Cáthasaigh]

I agree with you. I watched C4 news - half an hour of the military moaning about a few percentage cut off a massive budget - is it something like 23 warships down to 19 ?? and any capacity change at all?

Big scare stories about no more "enduring" colonial ops like Afghanistan and Iraq (2 x beaten tickets).

Trident ? Aircraft carriers ? Cyber war ?

Cyber war eh? Hope they haven't found out about my 'Internet Warrior Training Academy' which includes the revolutionary new 'Keyboard Commando Course'; *****, I knew I should have included a Discretion Doctrine....Say nothing, forget everything.