I would still get DfID to pay for 2 x JSS with some vehicle space converted to hospital facilities AND if carriers were to be canceled or sold after construction, then 2 more as AOR.

Spitfire – as far as I know it is not on hold, but progressing slowly, hence the industry day last year, but I have not found any more up to date info.

I finally found some specifics for the Dutch Joint support ship; it can carry 8000m3 of F76 or Diesel fuel and 1000m3 of F44 or aviation fuel in addition it can generate 125m3 of fresh water per day. I’ve no idea about space available for dry stores but it’s seems bulk stores are kept on the ‘flex deck’ along with everything else from vehicles to helicopters so this space seems as if it would be packed during a mission. The Flex deck area I think has around 2000 lanes metres of space however I’m not completely sure about that figure. Since helicopters can be stored on the vehicle deck I’m unsure if that is where some of the helicopters are stored or if it is just an option to carry additional helicopter over and above the 6. Basically it’s a multipurpose ship and has the same fuel capacity as the Aegir 10 but has substantial space for vehicles helicopters or whatever else you can fit into a large space which is quite handy. The fuel capacity is nowhere near large enough to a carrier for example CVF carries over 8000t’s of fuel and a cubic meter of fuel weighs a little less than one tonne so the JSS really does not have enough fuel to support a deployed CVF. I would guess it is enough for deploying a frigate and an OPV basically what the Dutch plan to do with it which is good for them.

I’m not against a JSS type ship but we really need proper dedicated AOE’s for supporting carrier groups wherever they may end up being deployed and even if the carriers are not busy these ships will not be idle. I think we should get two proper “one stop shop” type ships based off the Aegir 26 with a large amount of fuel and a large amount of space for dry stores alongside the enhanced propulsion and self defence. Aviation capability should also be substantial about the same as the current fort class with the ability to support 4 Merlin sized helicopters for VERTREP or other duties. The idea is these ships stick with the carrier and her escorts while other RFA’s shuttle supplies to the AOE much like how the USN operate. That is also why I suggest getting 2 plain Aegir 26’s to act as the shuttles as our carrier will be conventional so could burn quite a bit of fuel if it ever needs to deploy at speed with its escorts. If there was the money then I would like the RFA/RN to get more Bay class type ships like the JSS but without the replenishment capabilities basically new bay’s with a hangar and aviation facilities and maybe not a wet dock. The idea being to replace the Argus as you suggested using DfiD funds basically 2 updated bays and 2 hospital equipped versions suited for humanitarian work.

I have this wee image in my head of an Aegir 18R a C2 (Absalon) and 2 C3’s deployed somewhere when something happens, the RFA doing its normal duties while the C2 provides space for equipment. A JSS could do this as well but maybe my thinking is too much towards the next naval war rather than working in semi-permissive or permissive environments. We already have the transport capabilities it brings to the Dutch Navy in the Bay and point classes although we lack aviation facilities on those ships. However Ocean will be getting replaced at some point which will provide the aviation capacity and we have LHA’s in our force thinking whereas the Dutch do not have that capability.

On the JSS – I think the design could provide the basis of the “Fast combat support ship” to replace the Fort’s as the “one stop shop” for a Carrier group. However my thinking is the design could be further levered towards that multi-role RFA that provides soft power presence at a much cheaper price than a full on warship. The Haiti disaster relief role, the anti-drug and anti-piracy patrols – think of a Bay with a hanger and some wet RAS as well as dry stores capability. In the end we will be lucky if they don’t completely screw the RFA with this “privatisation” non-sense….. :-(

As for the numbers of vessels I’m not really too sure as it depends on what happens in regards to the fleet numbers resulting from the FSC program. However as a shot in the dark I would suggest at least 2 Aegir 10’s to support the smaller C3’s if they turn out to be Global Corvette type vessels or simply for supporting lone warships. 6 or more Aegir 18R’s to support the general surface fleet wherever they may be deployed especially if in company with allies or in small groups such as C2’s supporting C3’s. 2 Aegir 26 class ships to essentially act as the bulk fuel movers shuttling between supply bases and the carrier supply vessels if that ever happens. 2 Larger Fast combat support ship’s for supporting the carriers essentially the real replacement for the Fort Victoria class based off the same hull as the Aegir 26 but with enhanced propulsion and defensive enhancements. That may seem like a lot of solid support due to the choice of the Aegir 18R but the modern navy will use much less fuel as demonstrated by the Type 45 during sea trials. More solid support allows for humanitarian supplies to be carried or something similar or the space could be used for holding pirates. It’s also most probably more ships than we need but it means in peacetime we can always provide support to things like SNMG’s while having the capacity in wartime.

I’m unsure about the Joint Support ship idea as I don’t have specifics in regard to issuable fuel and dry stores space although it would seem a good idea for supporting C3’s or small amphibious operations. It seems specific to what the Netherlands need a general purpose bit of everything ship that they can deploy with a Holland Class OPV in the Caribbean. Maybe these would be an alternative to the Aegir 10 as they should provide the same replenishment capacity alongside other capabilities for supporting lone warships or smaller vessels and being multirole vessels.

From the Shipbuilding point of view there is no question or doubt in my mind that these vessels should be built abroad preferably in South Korea where a contract is a contract and the yards have work. So chances are they would definitely tell the MoD and Government to take a hike if they started their usual bullshit which makes me happy:-). Going down this route should also be much cheaper and faster as the yards are used to building dozens of commercial tankers each year and the Aegir is essentially a commercially derived design. Ideally the whole lot should be placed in 2 separate contracts the second being awarded if delivery schedules and costs are kept to. I don’t say that lightly I live by the Clyde but I would rather UK yards are kept busy building warships rather than delivering obscenely overpriced Auxiliaries.

“So, my modest proposal would be to get the Ministry of Overseas Development (if its still called that)”

Ooops – I think I meant DfID !