British Army could be wiped out after just six months

MontyB

MontyB

All-Blacks Supporter
Anyone have any insight into this?


My opinion is that it makes some rather dubious claims not the least of which is that it does not take into account replacements and training capability, my "guess" is that IF a major war was to break out then some form of draft or conscription would be implemented thus bringing in a sizable number of replacements.

The next thing is who are they going to fight, in Europe any further expansion by Russia would be into a NATO country which means the British Army is going to be fighting alongside NATO nations and in Asia/Pacific the USA, Australia, Korea, etc. so it is extremely unlikely Britain will be going it alone.

While I can accept the argument that in its current form it is not capable of sustaining major operations beyond six months but that is true of almost every modern western military but the resources flow a lot freer in wartime.
 
Read the article yesterday, wasn't clear the way it read whether they were talking if they were fighting like Russians, or Ukrainians, or using their own doctrine.
 
George said:
Read the article yesterday, wasn't clear the way it read whether they were talking if they were fighting like Russians, or Ukrainians, or using their own doctrine.
Click to expand...
This is another slightly less "alarmist" take on the story...

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.
 
The army is a fraction of the size of what it was when I joined in 1986. When I joined, the regular army numbers were 155k, this year, that is down to 75k. Reserve forces were 86k, compared to 28k this year.
 
The Highway Man said:
The army is a fraction of the size of what it was when I joined in 1986. When I joined, the regular army numbers were 155k, this year, that is down to 75k. Reserve forces were 86k, compared to 28k this year.
Click to expand...
Surely this isn't unexpected though as we have reaped the peace dividends from 80 years of peace, the military costs vast sums of money to maintain so the desire to keep large forces wanes when you are not expecting to go to war.
 
MontyB said:
Surely this isn't unexpected though as we have reaped the peace dividends from 80 years of peace, the military costs vast sums of money to maintain so the desire to keep large forces wanes when you are not expecting to go to war.
Click to expand...
And when those funds can be used to buy votes with "Govt. benefits".
 
They've already started streamlining, the army nurses, dentists and medics once 3 different Corps, are now one single Army Medical Services. There has long been talks if merging all 3 services into a combined defence force. My old mob the Royal Military Police have been mentioned in merging with the RAF Police and RN police to form a combined Military Police Service.
 
The Highway Man said:
They've already started streamlining, the army nurses, dentists and medics once 3 different Corps, are now one single Army Medical Services. There has long been talks if merging all 3 services into a combined defence force. My old mob the Royal Military Police have been mentioned in merging with the RAF Police and RN police to form a combined Military Police Service.
Click to expand...
Interesting as my eldest son is showing an interest in joining the airforce, initially he had a fixation on the Luftwaffe as we have spent a lot of time in Germany, have friends already in the airforce and his mother was born in Germany so there is a pathway but same deal applies to him joining the RAF based on my side of the family (on top of this he also has the USAF and RNZAF options) so it is interesting to hear about the state of various militaries before he makes up his mind as three of those options mean we will have to move.
 
MontyB said:
Interesting as my eldest son is showing an interest in joining the airforce, initially he had a fixation on the Luftwaffe as we have spent a lot of time in Germany, have friends already in the airforce and his mother was born in Germany so there is a pathway but same deal applies to him joining the RAF based on my side of the family (on top of this he also has the USAF and RNZAF options) so it is interesting to hear about the state of various militaries before he makes up his mind as three of those options mean we will have to move.
Click to expand...

RAF pilots are currently being trained in the US and Italy after problems with Hawk T2 trainer jets left half the fleet being grounded.

There’s the possibility of transferring all RAF pilot training to the US permanently.

However the RAF is currently 10% below its target size.
 
MontyB said:
Anyone have any insight into this?


My opinion is that it makes some rather dubious claims not the least of which is that it does not take into account replacements and training capability, my "guess" is that IF a major war was to break out then some form of draft or conscription would be implemented thus bringing in a sizable number of replacements.

The next thing is who are they going to fight, in Europe any further expansion by Russia would be into a NATO country which means the British Army is going to be fighting alongside NATO nations and in Asia/Pacific the USA, Australia, Korea, etc. so it is extremely unlikely Britain will be going it alone.

While I can accept the argument that in its current form it is not capable of sustaining major operations beyond six months but that is true of almost every modern western military but the resources flow a lot freer in wartime.
Click to expand...

Essentially the British military can’t meet its obligations to NATO in terms of making personnel available.

The biggest problem being retention as more are leaving than are joining.
 
AirborneWings said:
Essentially the British military can’t meet its obligations to NATO in terms of making personnel available.

The biggest problem being retention as more are leaving than are joining.
Click to expand...
At which point are they leaving?
Is it experienced/veteran personnel or those completing basic deciding it isn't for them as the solution would be different in each case.

AirborneWings said:
RAF pilots are currently being trained in the US and Italy after problems with Hawk T2 trainer jets left half the fleet being grounded.

There’s the possibility of transferring all RAF pilot training to the US permanently.

However the RAF is currently 10% below its target size.
Click to expand...
He still has a while to go before he has to make a decision but if he really wants to join an airforce and fly anything but a C-130 or NH-90 then the RNZAF isn't for him, from our point of view if he has to go overseas to sign up then we would be better off moving to allow time to acclimate by finishing his education there.
 
Last edited:
MontyB said:
He still has a while to go before he has to make a decision but if he really wants to join an airforce and fly anything but a C-130 or NH-90 then the RNZAF isn't for him, from our point of view if he has to go overseas to sign up then we would be better off moving to allow time to acclimate by finishing his education there.
Click to expand...
I've meet people who are "Kid Followers", usually don't have anything better to do.
 
George said:
I've meet people who are "Kid Followers", usually don't have anything better to do.
Click to expand...
A sizable portion of my job is in Europe so moving there would make that easier, at the same time it gives him a few years (as he is still at school) to build a life in the country he will probably be living in for the rest of his life.
 
MontyB said:
At which point are they leaving?
Is it experienced/veteran personnel or those completing basic deciding it isn't for them as the solution would be different in each case.
Click to expand...

It tends to be the experienced that leave - They’ve become disillusioned with military life due to poor pay, poor accommodation etc.
 
MontyB said:
Cars were incredibly ugly in the 80s though so you can't blame that on the military.
Click to expand...
US Pick up truck designs pre-War looked pretty good for the most part. Those immediately post War look terrible, makes you wonder if the designers didn't survive the War....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top