I think I read this ages ago in relation to the Lynx so would apply to the Super Lynx, of course it could be total rubbish as well.

The Super Lynx order, for the RN atleast, the fact that it’s so small (3 metres wide at the wheels, even narrower at the cabin) that a frigate or Destroyer can embark 2 in its hanger.

The AugustaWestland site doesn’t have dimensions for the AW149, but the smaller AW139, is 3.5m at it’s widest point (the tail plane).

I admit to knowing nothing about hanger sizes on Frigates and Destroyers, but I suspect that the extra width of even an AW139 would prevent embarking 2 aircraft, which would then beg the question of why bother with a single AW139/149 when a single Merlin already in service can be embarked.

The joint Army/Navy order I’m sure was a cost cutting measure, simply that to order a mix of SuperLynx for the RN and something bigger for the Army, would be vastly more expensive than the 70 SuperLynx that have been ordered.

I dont think anyone here is advocating the AW-149 as an ASW helo but as a cheapish to procure and cheapish to operate utility helo that could operate of the lower end low intensity combatants for ocean patrol type roles while the Merlin gets retained for high end ASW/ASuW and assault from the Amphib fleet. Merlin is at the luxury end of the helo market and there is absolutely no way that it would be economical to replace the entire Lynx and Puma fleets with Merlins.

They can’t possibly mean SLBM in the same sense as USA, Russia, UK, France and China have. Surely they meant sub launched cruise missile?

Nope, its still a ballistic missile just with a much shorter range than the likes if Trident or Bulava. India does not really need much greater range due to the highly limited nature of Pakistan’s ASW capabilities and the fact that Pakistan is contiguous to India. Think sub launched Iskander. The turbojet bit is a mistake and probably based on the early stories that Sagarika was a cruise missile, from the test launch pictures and other sources it is almost certainly a solid fuel ballistic missile.

I really see it as impossible that any Akula (do we actually have firm conformation of this yet……IIRC its just a rumor?) would be modified to fire this weapon it would require a huge reconstruction and probably a hull plug and certainly not worthwhile for a lease submarine.

Well, submarines are not in my field of expertise per se. So, can a SSN like a Virgina or Astute win vs U-214 (AIP) within the Littorals? As from what is often printed in the press it seems like they are nearly invincible? Also, as long as I am on the subject. If, USN SSN’s are so capable how does a SSK’s sink Carriers in Naval Exercises? With recent South African and Chinese cases coming to mind??? :confused:

In the littorals and close to home the SSK would likely have the advantage, but for how long is debatable……..personally I am not entirely convinced by the long term superiority of AIP. SSK’s sink carriers exactly the same way SSN’s do.

Lets see… how much more of our Navy can we shoot-ex(sink), scrap and/or give away?

Allot more, the USN has more operational carriers than the rest of world put together.

Oh, I agree with such a limited budget a single SSN would be much more effective than a Carrier. That said, is one SSN worth four or five SSK’s! Another point………….will this SSN be capable enough in the real world for all of its great expensive? Personally, I hardly see it as much of a threat to say a RN Astute Class SSN for example………………..

For Argentina, even with a big budget, I would take the SSN’s over carriers. If the french really are going to provide tech it should be an OK boat but I agree on the Astute issue.

Well, I don’t see any new fighters for the Air Force or a Aircraft Carriers for the Navy?????

If they have learned the right lessons from the Falklands war they will procure a powerful submarine force before they get a carrier.

I doubt they would be stupid enough to try Falkland-2. It will take atleast a decade to get the SSN in water and another decade tobe proficient in using it. Moreover a couple of astutes will deter them.

Doctrine my dear friend doctrine.