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Posted on 08/16/2026 3:38:45 PM PDT by SmokingJoe
This video by historian Dr. Mark Felton provides a critical examination of the current state of the Royal Navy, specifically focusing on what he describes as the "white elephant" aircraft carriers, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Key takeaways from the video include:
Operation Firecrest (0:15 - 1:18): The video analyzes a 2026 deployment of HMS Prince of Wales to the Arctic, arguing that it was an ineffective "saber-rattling" exercise that exposed the UK's naval limitations.
Lack of Escorts (1:23 - 3:00): Due to a severely depleted fleet of destroyers and frigates, the carrier could only be provided with two British escorts, forcing the task group to rely on foreign navies for support.
Shortage of Aircraft (3:03 - 4:51): The HMS Prince of Wales sailed with only eight F-35B jets, despite being designed to accommodate up to 36, due to the UK's limited fleet and the need to share aircraft with the Royal Air Force.
Historical Context and Procurement (5:08 - 8:50): The video traces the origins of these carriers back to the Tony Blair administration, criticizing the decision-making process, the shift from "catapult and arrestor" designs to "STOVL" (Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing) configurations, and the rising costs that reached £7.6 billion.
Conclusion (9:58 - 12:38): The author argues that the current naval strategy is unsustainable, leaving the UK with enormous vessels it cannot adequately crew, defend, or equip, which he characterizes as a national disgrace
(Excerpt) Read more at youtube.com ...
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A few years ago when the UK was saber rattling against Russia they admitted what size an army they could deploy , and critically, sustain in combat.
ONE division. In WW2 the BEF was 10 divisions.
An update to the old story about Stalin hearing that the Pope was displeased with him —
Stalin: “And how many divisions does he have?”
UK: “We have ... one.”
Read somewhere that they don’t have an operational sub except on paper
I rather doubt that there are enough ethnic Brits to staff the Navy they need.
The UK is overrun with Moslems bent on jihad and subjugation and the Labor Government and Academia are eager to through the countries to them in hopes that they will be the last to be beheaded.
Maybe they can get the QE2 from Dubai and transform it from a floating restaurant to a warship....
Such warships are obsolete
The way things are going they’ll sell/lease it to the mussies to mass transit illegals and their goats/boyfriends across the Atlantic to the USA.
That means the British Navy is down to two. I was just informed another jet ski is being replaced by a paddle board.
The Royal Marines have been issued a swim ring.
The UK’s top missile destroyers (they have 6) should be able to do a credible job of missile defense, but, the UK does not seem to be able to keep even one out to sea for more than a few weeks at a time, without needing to come back in for often lengthy repairs...
Drones can be fought off with all sorts of systems besides missiles — interceptor missiles are our longest range, and in a sense “safest” defense, but our Arleigh-Burke destroyers have 3 layers of defense: Eventually risk vs. cost may need to be rethought. Better though, is to smother the attacking launchers with our own Ukie style drones. We are badly tardy in addressing that.
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