Posted on 09/15/2012 5:26:47 PM PDT by mandaladon
An armada of US and British naval power is massing in the Persian Gulf in the belief that Israel is considering a pre-emptive strike against Iran’s covert nuclear weapons programme. Battleships, aircraft carriers, minesweepers and submarines from 25 nations are converging on the strategically important Strait of Hormuz in an unprecedented show of force as Israel and Iran move towards the brink of war.
Western leaders are convinced that Iran will retaliate to any attack by attempting to mine or blockade the shipping lane through which passes around 18 million barrels of oil every day, approximately 35 per cent of the world’s petroleum traded by sea.
A blockade would have a catastrophic effect on the fragile economies of Britain, Europe the United States and Japan, all of which rely heavily on oil and gas supplies from the Gulf.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most congested international waterways. It is only 21 miles wide at its narrowest point and is bordered by the Iranian coast to the north and the United Arab Emirates to the south.
In preparation for any pre-emptive or retaliatory action by Iran, warships from more than 25 countries, including the United States, Britain, France, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, will today begin an annual 12-day exercise.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Ragged Old Flag ... Mr. John Cash ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIHYNPjUd50
The carriers are supported by at least 12 battleships, including ballistic missile cruisers, frigates, destroyers and assault ships carrying thousand of US Marines and special forces.
It appears the author of the article thinks the terms "battleship" and "warship" are interchangeable.
Methinks the UK is helping Hussein in deterring Israel from attacking Iran.
I wonder which side they will be on?
Yeah, that’s what I was wondering. What do they have left, like one destroyer and a submarine or two?
If there were 12 battleships and five carriers in gulf, the water would be overflowing and no one could turn around.
Till The Last Shot’s Fired ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz-3BruPdEo
Maybe Israel will call Hussein’s bluff if that’s what this buildup is. Regardless, the plan must be to make him look good for the elections.
10 subs, 2 helicopter carriers, 6 destroyers, 13 frigates.
“British Naval Power”?
Pretty much of a joke these days.
We still have an aircraft carrier.
The UK still has one aircraft carrier.
1—The Royal Navy operates a “blue-water” fleet of technologically sophisticated ships including an aircraft carrier (though without fixed-wing aircraft), a helicopter carrier, two landing platform docks, four ballistic missile submarines (which maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent), six nuclear fleet submarines, six guided missile destroyers, 13 frigates, 15 mine-countermeasure vessels and 24 patrol vessels. As of July 2012, there were 78 commissioned ships in the Royal Navy.
2—What are you banging on about, not armed?.
3-Britain and the Royal Navy took part in the naval attack on Libya. The RN fired many Tomahawk and StormShadow missiles. Are you unaware of that?.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ellamy
Task Force Cougar also sat in the Med as potential reinforcements.
Back around the beginning of the year, the same error appeared in an article about Britain's newest destroyer. Could've even been from the same editor's desk.
The Royal Navy operates a “blue-water” fleet of technologically sophisticated ships including an aircraft carrier (though without fixed-wing aircraft), a helicopter carrier, two landing platform docks, four ballistic missile submarines (which maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent), six nuclear fleet submarines, six guided missile destroyers, 13 frigates, 15 mine-countermeasure vessels and 24 patrol vessels. As of July 2012, there were 78 commissioned ships in the Royal Navy.
The Royal Navy operates a “blue-water” fleet of technologically sophisticated ships including an aircraft carrier (though without fixed-wing aircraft), a helicopter carrier, two landing platform docks, four ballistic missile submarines (which maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent), six nuclear fleet submarines, six guided missile destroyers, 13 frigates, 15 mine-countermeasure vessels and 24 patrol vessels. As of July 2012, there were 78 commissioned ships in the Royal Navy.
An armada? How many ships are left in their Navy? One or two?
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