Royal Navy's smallest ships on epic journey across rough seas to Arctic

Four of the Royal Navy's smallest ships are preparing to brave three weeks of rough seas as they head far north into the Arctic for Exercise Steadfast Defender, Nato's largest exercise since the Cold War.
P2000 patrol boats HMS Biter, Blazer, Exploit and Trumpeter sailed from Portsmouth Naval Base at the start of their journey to Norway's Arctic coast.
The fibreglass-hulled ships, which normally patrol coastlines, are just 20.8 metres long and have a displacement of 54 tonnes, with a crew of five on board.
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[@robbrown4621]

Only the British would sail a sardine can through the Arctic in winter. I take my hat off to them. Courage.

[@typhoon2827]

Sardine can is a little generous; tupperware box more appropriate.

[@hastuart9639]

Not Courage, that comes in bottles, but just obeying orders crazy as they might be. They could have loaded them onto the PoW , struck down in the hanger until they got on station, then drop them over the side. Coastal Command means our coast not the Norwegian coast. It will save those truck engines they have. If they want a proper ship commandeer a trawler and make it an armed trawler, it can be a gun boat, torpedo boat if they can get a decent turn of speed out of her. Drop paravanes from the trawl winch and cut all the mine tethers. It could also tow a sonar for anti submarine work or have one fitted and put some depth charge launchers on the stern and fordeck. Fit some decent guns , a 4.5 on the foredeck under a packing case with a tarp on it and make it a Q ship. They have an old trawler in Hull that they are going to make a museum piece, refurbed eveything but perhaps the Mirlees Diesel Engine and generators, though you would need a bit nore than a stoker mechanic to look after that, its not a truck engine but a proper diesel. Fit an RO unit and it can make its own potable water. Its got two cod liver oil tanks either side of the shaft tunnel that could be used as fw tanks after a bit of cleaning out, though the cod liver oil might help the digestive system, especially when it gets rough, it will lubricate the passages for your breakfast to come up without sticking.

[@freebeerfordworkers]

These ships were originally built as a cheap way of training Royal Naval Reserve officers and ratings. Now they're being sent into actual service it just shows how bad things are in the Navy

[@teeanahera8949]

Maybe is shows just how bad tensions are between Russia and Estonia. Naval exercises up that way don’t happen just for fun.

[@freebeerfordworkers]

That may be true but I heard the chief of naval staff say on BBC Radio 4 not too long ago for NATO to move into Poland and the rest of Eastern Europe was going to worry the Russians but to move into the Ukraine was like poking the bear with a stick. I'm no friend of Putin but I still think Russia needs to be treated with some respect@@teeanahera8949

[@FinsburyPhil]

They're inshore patrol vessels going to Norway to undertake inshore patrol training - they're not going because we can't send bigger vessels.

[@thetruthhurts7675]

@@FinsburyPhil They are OFFshore patrol vessels you know the kind of things that do the North sea, and the Channel. The navy has inshore boats but calls them rescue vessels.

[@amct1019]

@@thetruthhurts7675 *inshore

[@peenergysolutionslimited8903]

Spent a few years on these, HMS Dasher specifically. Great fun, especially in rough seas!

[@jarednovel]

No Co2 emissions

[@V.B.Squire]

Definitely definitely need our own version of sea patrol the series even better if it's set on the gibraltar Squadron. Most people have no idea what's going on down there

[@owainwright6055]

Well, at least they managed to leave the port, unlike the QE. Good luck guys 🇹🇻

[@george3842]

9

[@thetruthhurts7675]

The QE has left port what are you on about? It may be to go to a repair port, but it is doing so under it's own steam!! Unlike the Russian carrier (OH, OOPS, they don't now have one it destroyed itself in yet another fire!!) hahahaha

[@britishpatriot7386]

What??? You are delusional

[@HotNitrogen]

I still remember one of the students trying to chat up girls on the jetty by saying that the ship carried missiles and that the front hatch is where they're fired from

[@amazer747]

Yep, their firepower was indeed frightening. Trouble is, the MoD think so as well.

[@timsmith1125]

During my first afloat assignment in the US Navy, we did a North Atlantic deployment. Even though that ship was an Adams class guided missile destroyer, it was a challenging three months. Even did an underway refueling north of the Arctic Circle which got us all Bluenose certificates.

[@richardsawyer5428]

That young lady has the look of "What have I just got myself into?" No doubt a bit later she'll be saying "That was ####### great! Where to next?😊"

[@nemo6686]

Don't you mean "Vat was ####### great..."?

[@frank-ko6de]

Going to the north pole in a very thin small boat is never fun for anyone. The Brits need to rethink how they deploy their personnel asap.

[@danger3_255]

the maternity ward, probably

[@hastuart9639]

She'll be busy reheating TV dinners and making tea or possibly kie with a drop of Nelsons blood to keep the cold out.

[@V.B.Squire]

​@@danger3_255can you imagine playing "who's the father" with such a small crew

[@tamar5261]

Wish I was 40 years younger i would love to do this. Spent a lot of time on small boats and loved it

[@stephenvince9994]

Had a holiday on the Norfolk Broads in one of these, great fun, the weather was nice all week.

[@alanmcmillan6969]

Good luck, Have a safe trip!

[@ahnidabeejay]

Yes, good luck! Me, Jamal, Iqeeb and Indrojeet will look after your families, especially your wives and daughters, whilst you are all aw\ay on this most important trip, boss.

[@grahamunderwood9353]

​@@ahnidabeejaybe honest your really sat in your bedroom knocking one out hoping your mum wont come in and catch you with your latest copy of the beano 😂😂😂😂

[@simonbrennan7283]

@@grahamunderwood9353 hoping his mum WILL come in, more like it 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Belisarius1967]

@@ahnidabeejay Don't speak to your father like that little owl.

[@ahnidabeejay]

@@grahamunderwood9353 None of you have any subscribers. Of the 3 comments. For all i know this is an A.I. comment. How curious. My previous reply was also deleted, why?

[@sidbobby3233]

Gutted! Live in Margate loved to have gone down ramsgate & seen the boats & crew. Good luck lads & lasses we thank u for ur service 😎🇬🇧👊👍✌

[@TheRangerBob]

Safe voyage, stay warm!

[@johnnunn8688]

Excellent, good luck to them and all who sail in them.

[@ibana8449]

Very noticeable uplift of RN patrol boats in the waters around Northern England. Pleasing to see

[@teeanahera8949]

Well, they are worried about an attack on Estonia by Russia. WWIII would be just around the corner if that happens.

[@paulwestwood4417]

P2000s regular visitors to Torquay harbour. Fascinating about their deployment.

[@pathfinder5651]

Good luck and all the best guys.

[@MikeH-sg2ue]

Fair Winds, & Following Seas! Play carefully, & smile often!

[@Fester_]

Please, pretty please with icing on top, show RFA Tidespring (A136) refuelling /restocking alongside.

[@pcka12]

65 foot or so long is more than twice the length of the average yacht, these boats should be fine in the north Atlantic in summer, so long as they seek shelter when storms are forecast.

[@teeanahera8949]

It’s Winter in the northern hemisphere.

[@pcka12]

@@teeanahera8949 so, go carefully!

[@Surv1ve_Thrive]

​@teeanahera8949 not always. Usually only in winter.

[@s.v.corycia5643]

I was the gunner on HMS Bronington, small ships are the best!

[@JulianBeach]

She’s met a sad end, I understand, semi-submerged and vandalised beyond recovery in Birkenhead docks. A real piece of history too, as the RN’s last operational wooden vessel.

[@s.v.corycia5643]

Yes, a sad end. I believe The King, who once commanded her, should have saved her.

[@nemo6686]

Where you onboard when they were based at Vernon?

[@s.v.corycia5643]

No, I was onboard her a lifetime ago. She was based in Rosyth.

[@stupitdog9686]

I was the buffer... took her to Gib for the refit so HRH Charles could be Skipper ... with a working ship & a "picked" crew - unlike us heap of reprobates !! ( L/Diver Creature.)

[@PUGWASH89]

Last year HMS puncher had an unusual ornament on its helm... you know what you did.

[@LordDustinDeWynd]

Pretty ships!

[@kevinmiller7792]

Best of luck sailors!

[@MBO84]

I notice the carriers are still alongside.

[@fToo]

yeah, felt like the elephant in the room !

[@johnnunn8688]

And?

[@Joker-yw9hl]

Good stuff 🇬🇧 🇳🇴 🇺🇸

[@edc8388]

The Royal Navy exercising its global presence with its state of the art Norfolk Broads cruisers. All hands to actions stations, man the rifle and watch out for slightly choppy conditions.

[@leighmonty13]

Safe journeys

[@Runnifier]

Take me with you

[@Jeffybonbon]

well thats half of our fleet away north

[@bikevault2302]

going to get some cracking fishing in

[@stevencharnock9271]

These little ships move pretty quickly. I sailed in one during exercise, surprised they are restricting to a 2 Mtr swell but I guess elf and safety has hit the Navy as well. 🤔

[@teeanahera8949]

Well, they’re only human lives after all. Why are you triggered at the thought of these sailors being safer? We can only hope you’re never in charge of anything. Ever.

[@stevencharnock9271]

@@teeanahera8949 What a silly childish comment, clearly you know nothing about these boats or their capabilities. Now crawl back under your bench with the rest of the leftie appeasement brigade. The way things are going we will soon be at war with Russia and no doubt you will be a conscientious objector.

[@skylongskylong1982]

Remember the P2000 vessels were used by the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service. RNXS done a great job, and as a reservist organisation cost peanuts to run, when disbanded in early 1990s. Could always tell a RNXS vessels by their black hulls.

[@mcgherkinstudios]

Yup, RNXS was a great idea. MVS still carries on a lot of the spirit but it was never going to be doable as a charity as most people had never heard of it.

[@skylongskylong1982]

@@mcgherkinstudiosThe MVS in the beginning looked so promising, but they soon lost their fleet tender, and ex fishing trawler . There was much good will towards them, as I remember Norwich Sea Cadets allowed them to use their training vessel, an old lighthouse ship. Coast Watch made up of Auxiliary Coast Guards seems to be going the same way.

[@mcgherkinstudios]

@@skylongskylong1982 Appleby was a great asset. Sadly I never got to go away on her. Did have fun on East Sussex 1 for Cowes week though. Sadly the President lot spent a lot of the funds on a nice Tyne class lifeboat for unauthorised jollies to France… Shame though, there were a lot of knowledgable people in the organisation and I know personally of people who went on from the MVS to high flying careers in the Merchant Navy.

[@Monkey-ud8bw]

Got to love the artistic license of calling it a ship.

[@thetruthhurts7675]

In the UK anything with TWO decks permanently above water is a ship, anything else is a boat, thus submarines are boats. What is so difficult to understand here? The edited bit I spelt Permanently incorrectly/and UK!!

[@Surv1ve_Thrive]

​@@thetruthhurts7675 interesting thank you. You spelled UK wrong by the way. 🙂 Hee hee

[@user-ow4sd6xj6n]

​@@thetruthhurts7675 what like a double decker bus then lol

[@thetruthhurts7675]

@@user-ow4sd6xj6n It does what it says on the pack. I think is what you mean. A double decker bus would be a boat by the way because they don't float, thus a submarine, and they are boats!!

[@user-ow4sd6xj6n]

@@thetruthhurts7675 was just having a laugh but come on its hardly a ship just because it has two floors its tiny. What weapons does it have as well not a lot by the look of it. A cheap drone sould take it out with ease. I think the nave is all tonnage and no teeth. Most of our patrol boats are just armed with a 30mm cannon at most. Our frigates have only just had added anti ship missiles. Our carriers are populated mainly with American planes as the raf are hording the others. And even ours cas badly carry any weapons as the havnt been cleared yet as it takes years to do so.

[@blazer666del]

Manning issues..? absolutely... send the P2000s as they only need 5 crew

[@abrahamdozer6273]

Echos of those squadrons of MTBs and MGBs heading out during WWII ...

[@hastuart9639]

The difference being those were wooden ships and iron men, now we have plastic ships and plastic persons, have they got guns on them and torpedo tubes, it didn't look like it. More like launches for intership mail and cocktail party taxis for flag rank unless they go by helicopter.

[@abrahamdozer6273]

@@hastuart9639 Sorry. I missed it. When did you serve, again?

[@hastuart9639]

1973 -1983 in the real navy, The British Merchant Navy and we spent most of our time at sea as well, not tied up to a barrack stanchion on refits that the ships staff doesn't have the expertise to carry out. @@abrahamdozer6273

[@hastuart9639]

1973- 1983

[@abrahamdozer6273]

@@hastuart9639 Me too ... around that time. People were better then?

[@hansbrammer9997]

Interesting to know if cooking responsibilities are shared, or prepared meals are provided, especially for lunch and supper. Maybe its ration packs or one of the crew is the cook.

[@GHOST5663]

Nuts. Where have these four ships been during the coastal invasion? Send these small craft off to the Arctic, great idea. Anyone seen the WW2 videos of convoys to Murmansk. I hope they make it there and back OK.

[@silentblackhole]

Thanks Britian for your leadership in this Ukriane war when other traditional leaders have gone missing..

[@jmtiptonengland]

The one drawback to this class, and every one who has served on them is there lack of ‘freeboard’, in and large waves/swell, they are not good ~

[@tomstech4390]

-If you and 2 buddies held FN "minimi" light machine guns on a fishing boat you'd have the same firepower. -Next up River class adds a 30mm cannon.... similar to the RARDEN 30mm cannon on 1970's Warrior IFV's. -Next up is Type 23 frigate and Type 45 destroyer with 32-48 missiles, they gain a 113mm auto gun.... like having an automatic challenger tank on the bow. That's the fleet. (not including the medium level .50cal and 30mm cannons on the frigates for whatever they're meant for? shooting food at pirates I guess).

[@adrianbanks2089]

All EX R.N.X.S SHIPS ! ( Thanks 4 The Update )

[@johnhudghton3535]

Watch that stern when you park it...

[@douguk]

Given P2000 meant to be fitted for but not with a 20mm Oerlikon, one good exercise would be to see how quickly the ships could be upgunned from a base load of 3xGPMG . Are there a doz Oerlikon instores at the ready...? and could they be installed in hours/days should an urgent need arise. To provide an increased patrol defence arainst small targets /drones etc.

[@Surv1ve_Thrive]

Doug good point and refit exercises are worthwhile

[@nowtelsematters]

I spend a few weeks on one and the permanent staff said the 20mm wouldn't be fitted as it damaged the deckplates when fired.

[@V.B.Squire]

​@@nowtelsematterswhat about now with modern recoil buffers or reinforced decking?

[@nowtelsematters]

@@V.B.Squire it was 10 years ago. I don't know if the mounts have changed that much.

[@V.B.Squire]

@@nowtelsematters I'm not a sailor but I've always thought the value of a larger number of small ships was underrated

[@travelledfar]

Wow ... the RN finally got some dinghys out of the port, sailing past the junkers tied up alongside.

[@logtothebase2]

I was wondering the whole Video, why they would put these ships through such extended hard deployment away from domestic coastal operation, it must be so tough on the hardware. But sounds like they need a surrogate for fast small boats that are such common aggressors, thieves and warmakers these days. Best of luck to all the crew, a good one for the CV and the experience.

[@teeanahera8949]

I wonder if NATO is worried about Russia attacking Estonia. Naval exercises in the north as a sign to Putin?

[@freddeeks5496]

Are these the original P2000 built by Watercraft at Shoreham and completed at Woolston by VT when watercraft went broke in the 1980's

[@douglascharnley8249]

Should be thankful full they are not in row boats.

[@pm1104]

Ice station zebra …….springs to mind ! 😊

[@barnoidbatno3607]

Our most reliable vessel

[@bikevault2302]

Able Rate - oh my days

[@HodgdonH110]

Going to need a lot more bigger boats if we're going to take the Empire back!!

[@Tommy-Atkins]

Combat exercise?!..Each crew member “armed” with a rufty tufty catapult with an extra thick laccy band?!..😂😂

[@johnnunn8688]

‘Amphibiosity’, is that a word?

[@andrewsheedy6145]

Thought these had been sold

[@perpetualgrin5804]

Do not let the engines cool down😅.

[@frankh7303]

Amphibiosity ...? Wow

[@peterdawson3365]

Can either of the two officers interviewed decide what is the correct way to wear a single epaulette. At least the curl was at the top.

[@hastuart9639]

I noticed they called him the captain, but it should be Officer in Charge or CO. He it only a Ltnt, Captain is a rank far above his pay grade and competence, perhaps in charge of a capital ship of which we only have two , one being in drydock at any one time.

[@douglastodd1947]

These should be Patrolling OUR English Channel . Sitting @ the 12mile limit turning back the Dinghy's .

[@echonovember2037]

Oh dear, oh dear oh dear, what do we have hear. They haven't thought it through have they lads. ..

[@Back2TheBike]

Maybe send rowing boats next.

[@matthewbaynham6286]

It's strange that there is a limit on the sea state that these boats are aloud to be out in. KZbin is full of sailing channels where really small sailing boats are out in all sorts of sea states. Sailing boats don't really get much choice what sea state they are in, when they are in the middle of an Ocean and can't just pull into port.

[@RobertP-zk8vh]

have to send small ships cause the carrier broke down again lol

[@paulgray2387]

What’s next the 🛶 squadron?

[@MarkMcAllister-ni9sf]

Lols, the Royal Navy is now the same as the pleasure craft that picked up the BEF from Dunkirk.

[@backyardmechanic921]

Be more use in the channel.

[@SmartSilver]

These boats have given good service in their long life. How about some new ones.

[@hastuart9639]

What good service, tied up in port?

[@JMLE1949]

has it got any armament ?

[@Pyhantaakka]

All I could hear is: "Rule Britannia! Britannia rule the waves!"

[@Shontaku]

More like Britannia rule the bathtub.

[@scrubsrc4084]

And not the english channel? Jsut saying.

[@williameynon6759]

Looks like Eynons going back to marine like ancesters on lifeboats in PortheynonLew Al and me was goin to go but wanted 12years before release so discarded tha ha ha

[@OctopusgamingYTw]

Where is broken one ?//

[@dannycrooks8462]

We need them in the English channel to stop the boats from France

[@JelMain]

Not Government Policy.

[@jeffsmith2144]

​@@JelMainWho'd had though!!!😮

[@BIGGGESTAL]

Why aren't they protecting the coast from the rubber dingys

[@hansbrammer9997]

P2000s can be armed with an Oerlikon 20mm cannon on the forward part of the ship and three general purpose machine guns in case some are asking about it, in the case of defense. and off course each personel has their own hand gun and/or assault rifle. But i dont think Russia is in any way inclined to start attacking Nato forces in the Arctic Circle anytime soon but its always good to be prepared.

[@bobcougar77]

Why not use them to tow the aircraft carriers up for the big exercise?

[@martinf1736]

Put them to better use in the english channel😮

[@martinsigley3957]

Built for University Units. Seems odd that the RN has to bring them into service. Can't build aircraft carriers that work, or destroyers that can operate in warm waters. Is it too much to ask a nation that used to rule the waves to build ships that can do the job?

[@thecheesecakeman]

I'm assuming the food served on these ships are rudimentary unless they make it to port each day.........

[@hastuart9639]

They will be living on pasta as thats all the youth knows how to cook, no 'carry out' deliveries in the middle of the oggin.

[@skysurferuk]

These should be on permanent station in our channel.

[@dave788]

Good point I agree

[@jamiegray6931]

It would be entirely pointless. They're training craft.

[@Brookspirit]

We don't need more taxis bringing people in, you don't think they would be used to protect us do you?!

[@ptonpc]

How to say "I don't know anything about what these craft are for but I'll do the usual dog whistles" without actually saying it.

[@ahnidabeejay]

Why? Obviously you missed the memo that the navy accepts both legal and illegal migration, its policy (unofficial at least). So why station any boats in the channel as deterrents? You simply don't understand the purpose of modern governance, the navy, and your place in the grand scheme of things.

[@gloriaanderson8988]

Spend more on are all army and forces xx

[@chamberpot969]

Does it have an ice breaking capability and a dinghy?

[@michaelhart895]

Now ,wouldn’t it be a good idea for these small RN boats / ships to be patrolling the channel and turning the dinghy invasion back to France .

[@ahnidabeejay]

Well, (1) its policy to allow migrants in, and (2) the purpose of the navy is not to contradict point number (1) that I just made.

[@Jaybuilderjay]

looks like pilot boats

[@alundavies1016]

I still think one of the carriers should have been named “Boatyard Mc Plane Face”

[@xx_nobel744]

There’s a joke here to be made about budget cuts, and lack of staff, but I’m not going to make it

[@davidlawton7845]

Our once mighty Royal Navy can only send these small inshore craft to a major NATO exercise , the craft have no weapons and a crew of 5 ! What’s the point ?

[@Benjd0]

Wait who said that's all they're sending? There's at least one aircraft carrier, a frigate and two tankers also taking part.

[@rael5469]

Those boats are too small to go so far. They are risking too much danger.

[@Dingdangdoo]

If anyone was thinking we’re not a tier 2 force then this confirms we are.

[@Mike7O7O]

T2? You're optimistic!

[@JelMain]

@@Mike7O7O That's 'cos Boris wiped out the T1s.

[@ahnidabeejay]

There's no 'we'. Obbiously everything is done for a reason.

[@martinjones8220]

Not the south coast ?

[@Twirlyhead]

Are they not boats ?

[@awatt1404]

This will be a challenging and interesting trip. However, temperatures will not be -30 as indicated in the video but much milder. The gulf steam warms up the coast of Norway all the way up to the North cape and the water usually does not freeze (I was there just a few weeks ago, all the way up to Kirkenes at the Russian border). If you want to experience really cold weather, come to Baffin Island in Canada...however you will not be able to sail as it is frozen!

[@norsenomad]

Canadian tourist correcting our dear neighbours and closest navy ally, the Brits, let me help you: For your information, the Norwegian Meteorological Institute's public service (check URL: yr.no) published in their continuous weather report update only 20 minutes ago that the current temperature is -24 degrees Celcius with 4 m/s southern wind, feels like -33 degrees Celcius, in the town of Kirkenes (location by the docks, 9 MASL). That's today, as measured at location. And their forecast says -26 degrees Celcius as expected lowest temperature for tomorrow, and the same temp also for Friday. At the same time, they've issued a yellow (Moderate) warning of "icing on ships" for the whole coast of Troms and Finnmark counties, where the NATO Nordic Response/(part of Steadfast Defender) 2024 exercise will be held. And now you know. Regards from Norway.

[@norsenomad]

The Norwegian Meteorological Institute's public service (check URL: yr.no) published in their weather report update last night, 7 February 2024, that the current temperature was -24 degrees Celcius with 4 m/s southern wind, feels like -33 degrees Celcius, in the town of Kirkenes (location by the docks, 9 MASL). And their forecast says -26 degrees Celcius as expected lowest temperature for today, and the same temp expected also for Friday. At the same time, they've issued a yellow (Moderate) warning of "icing on ships" for the whole coast of Troms and Finnmark counties, where the NATO Nordic Response/(part of Steadfast Defender) 2024 exercise will be held. From the institute's historical records, the lowest temperature mesasured in Finnmark was -51.4 degrees Celcius, recorded only 200 km south-west of Kirkenes. Regards from Norway.

[@norsenomad]

The Norwegian Meteorological Institute's public service (check URL: yr.no) published in their weather report update last night, 7 February 2024, that the current temperature was -24 degrees Celcius with 4 m/s southern wind, feels like -33 degrees Celcius, in the town of Kirkenes (location by the docks, 9 MASL). And their forecast says -26 degrees Celcius as expected lowest temperature for today, and the same temp expected also for Friday. At the same time, they've issued a yellow (Moderate) warning of "icing on ships" for the whole coast of Troms and Finnmark counties, where the NATO Nordic Response/(part of Steadfast Defender) 2024 exercise will be held. From the institute's historical records, the lowest temperature mesasured in Finnmark was -51.4 degrees Celcius, recorded only 200 km south-west of Kirkenes. Regards from Norway.

[@johncharley9791]

The logistics will not permit them to stay at sea for any length of time. To justify their existence, they are required to be utilised more effectively.

[@kevinday6182]

Why are some guy patrolling the English channel?

[@robruss62]

If there wasn't an obsession with unmanned tech and AI, Britain could easily afford to increase its defense budget and just build a hundred missile craft and at least fifty corvettes, not to mention at least 20 SSKs. They'd be cheap to build, easy to man (if recruiting standards were lowered and pay raised a little), and would be supplemental to current projects. There would be enough ships again for three fleets, which Britain and the Commonwealth need.

[@hastuart9639]

You cannot lower the recruiting standards any lower, they are taking in the queers and women, how low do you want them. Try the press gangs round the pubs on a weekend when they are all drunk, plus all the jailbirds , murderers, rapists, pedoes, white collar criminals, that would free up the jails a bit and stop overcrowding. I don't see anythingbwrong with wearing your rank on your shoulders, it must be some woke idea to wear it on the chest. They don't have to be acceptable to the lower ranks. When an officer says jump, you ask how high. Its becoming a pansy navy. I see some tree hugger wants the matelos to study operating the ship in a green zero carbon way. If they went to sea more often then they wouldn't be crashing into each other and hitting rocks in the middle of nowhere. I have spent more time on one wave, than some of these navy types have sea time. Get some sea time in children and come back as men rather than boys on a jolly. Don't forget to take plenty of Thistlebond with you, to repair the damage the bridge wallahs have caused because they cannot handle a vessel.

[@teeanahera8949]

Perhaps you haven’t read the room. Everyone is scrambling to change tactics after learning lessons in Ukraine. So your talk of “obsession” is actually effective intel being utilised. Oh and another of your would be “assets” has been sunk in Crimea by some AI enhanced unmanned maritime drone. When cheap drones are taking out multi million dollar armoured assets every other week in Ukraine, the need for building more corvettes etc is limited.

[@robruss62]

@@teeanahera8949 and allied surface ships with competent and alert crews blasting anti ship missiles out of the skies in the Red Sea are yet another piece of evidence that the obsolecence of surface fleets has been prematurely forecast yet again

[@johnfebaines]

Why?

[@FunnyDodoBird-be5ob]

Hope they have javelin on board 😅

[@brucefraser8583]

Stopsmallboats????

[@Dave-hu5hr]

So these boats are joining Operation Freedom Fries or whatever then.. ?

[@greenerz]

They should be protecting our shores from Been invaded

[@itsmegareth9663]

Patrol the channel not the artic