The end of an Era - Ark Royal 5 & the Harrier

[paulcadogan]

It's almost unbearable to read this story:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop ... ssion.html

And her older sister is up for sale:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop ... -sale.html

And they replacements are YEARS away (makes you doubt that they'll even be completed). What has the great Royal Navy come to?

[José M. Rico]

Hello Paul,

When is the HMS Ark Royal going to be decommissioned? I thought she was expected to remain in service until 2015 but it seems that is not the case anymore, and I have just read that either the HMS Ocean or HMS Illustrious will be decommissioned as well!!

[paulcadogan]

This is the outcome of the British Government's massive cuts in defence spending - goodbye Ark. It was all over the BBC news recently. I thought I heard wrong when they said the Ark was to go, but sadly that was not the case. According to the article in the link I posted she's due in Portsmouth on December 3 to start the decommissioning process.

The Illustrious is supposed to have been already decommissioned. There has even been a spoof posting of her being for sale on eBay! I'm not sure what Ocean's fate will be.

Sure these ships are over 25 years old - but the RN is being stripped of its air capability in very dangerous times!

Paul

[Bgile]

I believe fixed wing naval aviation is being given up until around 2020. The first new carrier is currently planned to be completed with new tech electromagnetic catapaults and arresting cables. Current plans are to buy F-35C aircraft. The cat and trap configuration will also permit fixed wing AWACS such as the E-2, but no plans to buy those at present.

[RF]

I am not fully aware these carriers are to be completely decommissioned, but available to be ''rented out'' to other NATO and French forces.....

Its just what I would expect from a Labour Government. Sowhere's the change Dave?

[19kilo]

Dont be surprised if this is the end of carrier aviation in Britain. Capabilities that go away in the Royal Navy tend to stay lost. That seems to be the trend with British governments for the last 20 years. Very sad to see such a proud force being reduced to essentialy a coast guard.

[José M. Rico]

Crew say goodbye to HMS Ark Royal

http://itn.co.uk/4b1ef3c2a48f2bff382905c36f6c7a92.html

[paulcadogan]

What a coincidence Jose...I just logged in to post this and saw your post.

I just found out there is a move to save the ship from the breakers yard - to transorm her into a heliport on the Thames.

http://bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com ... royal.html

Hope this pans out!