CommonSense Defence

UK Defence, foreign policy & its combined application. With the aim to articulate British strengths and promote discussion around our weaknesses.

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

A short, concise, informative video from @HJS_Org and @james_rogers.

Intelligently detailing Britain’s historic geographical advantages, and as a result, our contemporary global reach.

What is the geography of British power? https://t.co/G3lQ4JpA6j

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

@FreeToucanSam Completely agree.

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

🤞Under promise, over deliver...

T31 is fearfully pessimistic, if we think as few as 1 may only be delivered inside 5 years. You'd like to think it would be 2 pushing 3.

T26, 2 inside 5 years...again you'd like to think a 3rd could be pushed in that time frame.

2031 something like:

6 T45, 3 T26, 3 T31, 2 T23 = 14, if T31 forward deployed 6-7 on ops.

We need these vessels desperately.

[Navy Lookout @NavyLookout]

Latest news commentary:

First Sea Lord denies Treasury is blocking faster delivery of Royal Navy frigates

https://t.co/jmzxsMw4WH #AFF2026

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

@FennellJW @Gabriel64869839 Fair, but then why did HM Gov come out and say what they did?

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

@NavyLookout @damen

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

A huge concern, and the gap is there - growing now - but appreciate your flag...that TAPS etc could cease.

NL alluded to several T23's being close...alarmingly, but not surprising when you look at age profiles.

You'd like to think perhaps St Albans and Portland might get through to 2031/32 being the youngest (most T23 roughly got through to c.30 years).

However, you'd say the same for Kent and clearly issues there.

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

Its ridiculous.

Supposedly Babcock still doing 8 hour shifts as part of the fixed price contract etc.

Though, if not the specialists to take them from build through to service - that's a potential bottleneck.

Is crewing there ready?

Multitude of factors, but my initial tweet I don't feel is particularly punchy either. We have to get these ships quickly.

T23 are on a cliff edge.

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

I too have a soft spot, and of course if correct, still 5 plus years service ahead.

Ultimately she feels somewhat limited, as shown with Lyme Bay deploying in relation to the SoH.

Potentially could stay on for domestic duties, MCM on the Firth of Clyde say - leaving the 3 ordered today for SNMCMG and Gulf deployments perhaps?

Or alternatively, has been useful as a test/trails bed and crew is recycled onto new vessels?

Or maybe some utility in the underwater domain, perhaps complement Proteus, and an evolved role?

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

Positive news

Presumably signals an end to Stirling Castle's commission too, given her useful trials but which have exposed limitations.

[Royal Navy @RoyalNavy]

The Royal Navy will get three new mine-hunting motherships - designed to embark autonomous systems for detecting and disposing of sea mines - as part of an agreement with Norway.

Read more: https://t.co/gPhUMKrdEo

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

Positively, I think any concern on Daring feels misplaced and we ought to see her back at sea soon.

Of course NL alluded to several T23's being close...which is of huge concern, but not surprising when you look at age profiles.

You'd like to think perhaps St Albans and Portland mighjt get through to 2031/32 being the youngest (most T23 roughly got through to c.30 years).

However, you'd say the same for Kent and clearly concerns there.

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

@howudiddling @Chalkley1990 There are definitely lower crewing requirements for both T26 and T31.

Perhaps not as generous as above, but certainly helpful and a relevant point.

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

Could well be a factor but a serious concern if it is.

When you think of the x8 T23s decommissioned in the last 5 years, an LPD, multiple MCM, Echo and Enterprise.

And of course, with T23 age, initial commissions will likely still be as another T23 bows out.

There ought to be enough sailors.

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

@Yardandfleet BAE ought to be focussed on T26 delivery, Babcock on T31.

One of the benefits of this approach was to create multiple avenues for escort procurement.

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

@awacs62 On a surface level, feels like lots of common thinking/if not commonality between 🇮🇹 and 🇬🇧🇳🇱 with ATS concept.

Wonder if any value in coming together?

@Gabriel64869839

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

@AC_NavalHistory Where proportionally even with reductions the RFA/RN lead in Europe.

By 2030s 4 Tides, and 3 FSS far in excess of what multiple European nations can contribute.

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

@defencewithac Enjoy your fill guys, hey you voted for it.

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

@TheNewsAgents I must have missed the Huw Edwards episode.

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

Ultimately she feels somewhat limited, as shown with Lyme Bay deploying in relation to the SoH.

Potentially could stay on for domestic duties, MCM on the Firth of Clyde say - leaving the 3 ordered today for SNMCMG and Gulf deployments perhaps?

Or alternatively, has been useful as a test/trails bed and crew is recycled onto new vessels?

Or maybe some utility in the underwater domain, perhaps complement Proteus, and an evolved role?

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

Thought is nice...just can't see it.

Although supposedly the Glass Reinforced Plastic hulls age well, so from that point perhaps plenty of life left?

Suppose question would be, for what role?

Patrol, slow. Likely B2s returning for that.

MCM, the idea is to take the crew away from the danger with new platforms - retaining them would undermine that.

[CommonSense Defence @DefenceSenseUK]

@andymedcraft If she could pick up the approaches on the Firth of Clyde that would be useful.

Freeing the other 3 to cover SNMCMG and perhaps the Gulf again.