Posted on 04/10/2017 10:23:53 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
ROYAL Navy flagship HMS Ocean could soon be sailing under a different flag as part of the Brazilian fleet.
Defence chiefs have confirmed the 28,000-ton helicopter carrier is for up for sale and that they are in talks with foreign governments.
Brazils naval chiefs are keen to buy the vessel, which has seen active service in the Iraq War and an SAS rescue operation in Sierra Leone.
Its sale will leave the Royal Navy without a carrier of any kind until 2023, when HMS Queen Elizabeth becomes operational.
Brazilian officials say they believe the asking price a closely-guarded secret is reasonable and they are examining the prospect with cautious optimism.
PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION
HMS Illustrious was sold for just £2million
HMS Ocean visited Brazil in 2010 and worked with the countrys marines during a diplomatic mission to South America.
The Brazilian Navy is said to be keen to buy Ocean, currently the largest vessel in the Royal Navy, after deciding not to conduct a costly upgrade one of its ageing carriers.
The MoD would not comment on the ships price-tag would but the carrier HMS Illustrious was recently sold to a Turkish recycling yard for just £2million.
(Excerpt) Read more at thesun.co.uk ...
> ROYAL Navy flagship HMS Ocean could soon be sailing under a different flag <
Well, sure. You can’t afford both a robust navy and a come-one-come-all welfare state. Something has got to give. Something has to be sold off.
What if an entrepreneur bought this (and some helos) and turned this ship into a privateer that would sell protection and/or “hunting trips” against Somali pirates?
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