The Royal Air Force and French Air and Space Force are joining forces for a major deployment to the Indo-Pacific region this summer, according to a press release.

This effort involves participating in two major exercises in Australia and Hawaii.

The Anglo-French operation, branded as Exercise Griffin Strike, is a joint initiative under the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force. “Exercise Griffin Strike is an ideal activity to test a combined headquarters on a real-time activity rather than a purely exercise construct,” stated Air Commodore Farrell, Assistant Chief of Staff Operations, 11 Group RAF, quoted in the news release.

A graphic map of the travel route for Exercise Griffin Strike

The exercise will involve airborne tanker and transport aircraft supporting fighter jets on a nearly 10,000-mile journey to Australia.

The aircraft will assemble in Lyon, France, and make stops in the Middle East and Singapore before arriving in Darwin, Australia. Once there, they will participate in Exercise Pitch Black, a biennial air exercise led by the Royal Australian Air Force. The RAF will deploy Typhoons from XI (F) Squadron and a Voyager from RAF Brize Norton, joining units from 19 other nations for the three-week exercise.

The RAF’s Air Mobility Force will also provide transport aircraft to support participation and recovery back to the UK, as detailed in the press release.

British sub hunting aircraft join massive Pacific exercise

Simultaneously, the RAF Poseidon P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft will participate for the first time in the US Navy-led Rim of the Pacific exercise, known as RIMPAC, in Hawaii. This will be the furthest range and longest duration exercise for the RAF Poseidon Force to date, involving various operational scenarios, including disaster relief.

Wing Commander Jim Henderson, Detachment Commander, highlighted the importance of RIMPAC for the RAF Poseidon Force: “As the first global exercise for RAF Poseidon, RIMPAC will be a good test of our ability to deploy at long range and then operate with allies and partner nations in a challenging and unfamiliar environment,” he said in the press release.

“The exercise is the latest step in the continued growth of the Poseidon Force and a reflection of how far we’ve come since we received our first aircraft four years ago.”

George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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96 COMMENTS

  1. Now I like the Typhoon, but I also like the Rafael, which one is best? There’s only one way to find out, FIGHT!!!

    • A ‘fight’ will not necessarily define which is the best fighter as it will depend on the quality of the pilots on what the pilots are allowed to do. You don’t always want to use your war modes (radar, EW and missiles) and give too much away as the Rafael is used by a lot of nations. Respectful and wise nations rarely boast about the outcomes of exercises – we prefer to learn from them instead.

    • As long you avoid crossing China’s red line
      Because if you do then you will certainly find out what a fight really means
      And that is over and done for you in minutes
      China refers to their defences within their redline as the 2 Nd Great wall and a access Denial zone
      They mean every single word of that

      • Whatever. Read the article again. A stopover in Singapore and the middle east. Exercise takes place in Hawaii and Australia. Nothing to do with China.

          • That’s the thing. They think it’s incognito.
            A genuine Brit can see it at once, if they’re half awake.

          • You said something along the lines of “if you’re a Gaelic speaker I’m a Croat!”

          • 😃😃👌 it tried to say ” Kiss my ass ” in Gaelic. Failed miserably with the spelling.!!

        • Correct, ostensibly there is no association w/ ChiCom activity in the SCS, but willing to wager that simultaneous deployments of P-8As and Typhoons to I-P theater is not an entirely random event. CSG25 deployment w/in SCS, future Astute class deployments to HMAS Stirling from 2026, relatively recent deployment of RM contingent to SK (for the first time since Korean Conflict), Army joint exercises w/ Japan, SSN-A development under AUKUS Pillar I, GCAP development in conjunction w/ Japan etc. Absolutely guarantee all these are being noted, logged and analyzed in Beijing. Probable ChiCom conclusion: UK PLC is beginning to practice for the upcoming winner-take-all match. Very pleased you Brits are assisting in stoking the general level of paranoia among the ChiComs. Really couldn’t happen to a nicer group of fellows…😁👍👍

        • Oh yes I have read with proper due diligence the entire article and draw your particular attention to Singapore , Darwin and RIMPAC
          So from China and other South Asian nations who in main with a few exceptions are all peaceful and Non Aggressive who wish for the Indo Pacific region to remain peaceful without Western interference
          So let’s home in Darwin and RIMPAC

          1 Darwin home to a very large US Naval and Airbases , which in turn can easily be used to deploy against China who have openly stated that any military bases out with their Red Line that is used to
          Attack China then China shall deploy what it refers to as ‘ It’s forward defence forces ‘ to attack
          and destroy such bases by way of it’s long range Hypersonic missiles ,
          Long Range Bombers , Surface Naval launched Hypersonics and those of it’s Submarine force

          2 RIMPAC the Multi National Naval
          War game exercise where the USA will attack a 40000 tonne retired amphibious landing assault
          Ship
          Which is Blatantly obvious they are
          Trialing their capabilities to destroy
          Chinese large Naval surface resources

          Now that’s exactly why I posted Comments upon this article as by default UK and French military ( both NATO Members) assets are being deployed to Darwin although not partaking of RIMPAC Which unfortunately the Author of the article introduced and by default
          Now associated fully with
          The 1 St Golden rule of Warfare is
          Know thy Foe to the tiniest of Detail
          With the caveat that you include Thyself
          Thereby by association Whether accidental or Intentionally so such
          UK and French activity demands that it’s fully taken note off , Studied and analysed in order to comply with Rule 1 of Warfare , failure to do so is gross negligence of duty by Senior military commanders

          • 😃😃😃. Know your foe huh ? We’ve noticed your tortured syntax, mangled grammar, poor spelling and Beijing fictional hypothesis on every post.

            We’ve all experienced the absolute junk that is Chinese food.

            If I look around my house and see anything that has ‘Made in China ‘ on it or contains Chinese components, then it’s either broken, about to break or doesn’t work properly.

            Stick to your knock off websites, wet markets, deep fried bat and internet scams, it’s about all you’re good for.

            At the very least, you should apologise for Covid19.

      • You mean with an air force using warmed over Russian designs and pilots with zero combat experience?

        Now, I will grant you that they probably have more planes than we do missiles but that’s a whole other conversation……

        • Do not forget the ex RAF pilots who have sold themselves to China to train the PLAAF in western techniques. Personally I would like to see them swing from a rope for treason. On the other hand, the Chinese have absorbed and implemented the lessons, and can provide “mass”.

        • Oh dear me you so devoid of simple basic facts
          1 China’s J21 5th generation stealth fighter is equipped with Chinese Twin engines
          2 China’s 6 th. generation fighter will soon be in production
          Tell me where USA and UK ones are ?
          3. The Typhoon is a 4.5 generation
          Incapable of Aircraft carrier ops
          Therefore for long distance missions requires refuelling tankers
          China has created huge resources specifically to take out refuelling tankers
          4 Western Air Defence specialists all laughed when the J 21 first appeared and it’s particularly heavy airframe.Not now Qoute Pentagon
          ‘ The J21 has turned out to be a formidable foe ‘
          Why because unlike the F35 and Typhoon with their light airframes
          Are not able to upgrade as the J 21
          Has by having completely new engines , extra fuel pods considerably increasing range , weapon upgrades to now carry 8 missiles all launched form stealth concealed pods which once opened
          Release the Pre target set missiles
          That immediately set about their task but alter courses after launch to confuse foes air defences
          The weapons pod closes in less than 2 seconds unlike the F35 which has to remain open considerably longer in order to set the missiles target Thereby by diminishing it’s stealth capabilities and exposing it to the Foes Radar and weapons systems along with
          Electronic Jamming of it’s attack missiles
          Also 2 seater version to accommodate weapons officer whilst pilot concentrates on flying

          5 Pilot skills do not kid yourself
          China has a unique recruitment and training program commencing with identifying suitable potential
          Pilots at college / university very early and then nurturing thereafter
          Now a Leaked Pentagon report
          2 US pilots whilst on exercise in the Taiwan straights encountered 2 no. J 21,s dispatched to intercept
          Both US pilots reported that the Chinese pilots were on a straight level head on course towards them and quickly realised in the few seconds required that the Chinese were not going to break off and that they had to do so immediately
          And another Pentagon report which even more concerning
          As usual the US tests China’s capabilities and one of these tests flying ominously close to Sovereign Chinese Airspace with a F35 along with their lure and trap the enemy with 2 raptors lurking at a distance
          What happened
          Completely unannounced a J 21 appeared upon the tail of the F35

          Then pulled alongside and waved and wagging its wings , The Chinese pilots saluting the F35 before swiftly banking and soaring upwards into attack mode then disappeared
          What really worries the Pentagon is
          Although they can partially work out how but can’t fathom exactly how the J 21 was able to arrive upon the tail of the F35 completely by suprise despite EWC in attendance
          3 And to cap it all China has identified that whilst US carriers conducting exercises in Tawain Straights that the F35 stealth coating deteriorates badly whilst
          Engaged at Sea for a prolonged period
          Such presents a major headache for any operating F35 carrier based fighters
          Why because to repair and replace coating requires abnormal below deck space , facilities, highly specialist technicians and time
          Which seriously curtails the abilities
          Of the carrier to conduct a large number of missions
          Currently in storage awaiting upgrades prior delivery are almost 200 F35, s with the numbers growing so much so Senior Pentagon and Congress are demanding that the whole F35 program is brought to a halt stating that it now has the USAF in a state that air superiority is now seriously threatened as development funds are now so seriously compromised by the ongoing out of control budget and depletion of existing capabilities in all areas due to the albatross the F35 turning out to be
          Australia can confirm all this when a ex defence minister stated that the decision Australia made to procure The F35 as it’s main source of Air Defence has now put Australian capabilities to defend properly not only it’s Airspace but also at Sea and land all due to the ridiculous expenses of maintenance to keep flying and the constant upgrades reqd . Which now has resulted in serious impacts upon the overall defence budgets

          I could go on and on to detail much more
          But I kindly remind you that The RAF
          And the RN
          Are heavily lumbered with this Pig in the Poke that the F 35 truly is
          Oh well those who laughed 1st at the J21 are proving to be the one that shall be the last to laugh
          And as for yourself
          Those in glasshouses should think long and hard before throwing stones
          Pre conceived thoughts are indeed highly dangerous especially when wisdom appears to be sorely lacking

          • During WW11, there was a German Mouthpiece called “Lord Haw Haw” He was hanged, just saying.
            😎

          • Oh how utterly delusional you all are
            I was most fortunate to be educated and trained to be a Scientific research officer by one of the most eminent of her generation of Geneticists thereby full understanding exactly how ,were and deploy the information you have found
            All my info is entirely derived from reputable reliable sources that in main have no axe to grind
            Consisting of Academic studies and the likes of Reuters
            Some ancient wisdom for you regards conflict
            Always display your humility whilst hiding your Strengths China does so
            Adhering strictly to Confucious

            A universal law of war is the one who shall prevail is the one best
            In replenishing all manpower and resources lost expediously so but also actually increasing the flow of such
            Couple that with
            1 In WW2 Churchill only once thought the war was lost and that was when in The Battle of the Atlantic German U Boats had switched tactics and hunted in Wolf packs which resulted in for 4 consecutive months they sank more tonnage than the Allies could launch
            Churchill despite all his faults was imbued with suffice wisdom to know that such heavy losses if not reduced ASAP then defeat certain

            China at its weakest point in the whole of it’s long History was invaded by Imperial Japanese forces who initially had great but terrible success
            However and by way of it’s Ancient Wisdom very soon changed tactics
            To scotch all earth as it retreated forcing the Japanese to find themselves with over extended supply lines , once that achieved Gorilla tactics deployed to destroy all frontline forces then pick them off as they retreated and just prior the dropping of Atom bombs Japan was in full retreat
            Now little know to the West 35 % of all Japanese military resources were tied up in China
            If that was not the case there little doubt that Japan would have succeeded in Taking the jewel in the crown India and the consequences of that Germany in all probability successful in Russia and then link up with Japan and the World would be a completely different place today
            Learn to give credit where credit due

          • It’s always so easy and simple to state what is irrefutable facts and truth
            Why because Truth is the only possible thing that can exist
            Anything else can only be a figment of a delusions mind

          • Bit of an issue with your lovely story. A US carrier hasn’t been in the Taiwan straits since the F35 entered service.
            But hey why let facts get in the way of of propaganda

          • F35 and Typhoon are not able to be upgraded due to lightweight airframes?? Is this guy a joke? You haven’t heard of the Blk4 upgrade for F35 or the many capability enhancements to Typhoon?? Take your copy cat Chinese junk with those smokey old Russia designed engines. A 20 year old F16 could handle these Chinese jets. 5th generation they certainly are not.

          • He’s always on here, just changes profiles, you can see the same ingredients each time, he even impersonates others on here. 🙄

          • For F**K sake whenever have I changed my profile name
            As the accuser the burden of proof
            Firmly rests with you

          • Well a year ago you were called Brian Doyle then 7 months ago you changed it to John Brian Doyle. Your question answered and the proof can be found on your activity section.
            As for your different user profiles, it’s pretty obvious to most of us. 😎

          • You must have a new profile yourself, then? Or have lurked for some time, with only a few dozen posts over a few weeks?

          • I’ve been looking in for years, I look in on Navy Lookout, Janes, BAE Systems, Lockheed, Leonardo, FB, X and a fair few more, occasionally I read some stuff and join in. It was @ two years ago I was last on here posting, Borg was the name, It still seems that certain others are here under different user profiles.
            You and a few others have just kept your names and stayed posting, I just flit from pillar to post !
            This JBD profile just cracks me up. There have been many others over the years. You are a real Diplomat and all round good egg.

          • I remember the name!
            I even welcomed you to the forum I recall, then you f***** off and never heard back from you!!
            Lol, it matters not. 👍

          • No mate, I commented a few billion times, then I got Banned !!! These sites are great but comments are easy to take the wrong way and Admin are trigger happy. There is no way to dispute admin’s take on a comment, hence myself having to re-invent my profile. Having said that though, I always stick to non aggressive and humour based replies even if they get mis conscrewed (not sure if that is the correct spelling, my Laptop just flagged it up ) You were one of the very first people to comment on this site way back some 10 years ago, (might be more or less though) , I was another of the originals back then, but I got blocked very early so I just kept re registering.

          • Oh and for a few post’s, I was “Ivan Kalot” but Admin never liked the content or humour of my posts. It was rather complicated and I do see how they failed to grasp the intended light hearted lilt. “Gunny Bang Bangs” went down well for a while though.

          • 😆
            I’m one of the few I suspect who use my real name. I have nothing to hide, or a military background that might need protecting.

          • I know mate. To be honest, It was a long time back on here that my Civvy background was completely Savaged by a few rather aggressive ex forces types, all I was doing was having conversations about stuff I had a great interest in. My knowledge was Historical rather than Actual but It seemed that only Ex forces were allowed to comment here despite the Forum owners lack of Military experience. I really love this site for the real mix of Journalistic brilliance and the commentators experience/knowledge despite any actual service records.
            You are a real Diamond on here, I admire your Longevity and ability to avoid arguments that Admin would ban you for.
            I wish I was so Diplomatic.

          • Thank you.
            Having fallen foul of some angry ex military myself, for having the temerity to have some knowledge, I’d back you all the way on that.
            No military experience is sometimes used as a stick to beat one with when they’ve nothing else to fall back on.
            Those types are few though, and my respect for my military co commentators here who accept me as I am is limitless.

        • This person has more profiles than Facebook, one minute he’s (she’s) a Tarter,(she’s gone rather quiet hasn’t she ?) then a Greek historian, (think he was blocked) then a bloke in “MK”,(where are you ?) then a Welsh Priest,(sussed that out rather easily) the list is endless. He’s very good though, it takes some serious effort and an equally serious personality disorder to maintain such an epic run without being banned.😄

          • Lol, right on cue, I knew if I mentioned (hinted) your name (other profile), you’d turn up again. Hello you amazing multi profile account holder, it’s great to fish in the fish rich waters that this site provides. I expected your arrival after you managed to reply to everyone else before coming back at me.
            Last time I called your name, you arrived a bit sooner but I guess you needed time to work it out !
            Anyway, nice to see you again, maybe you can enlighten us all on how well your Russian neighbors are doing in their 3 day special operation !!!!
            lolllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ( as you can see, I find it hilarious, Want to buy some decent Tanks ? 😂

      • Pssst, In the article above, there is a nice graphic showing the flight plan or route it clearly shows that these aircraft will be no where near China, not even close, maybe you should buy a map and familiarise yourself.✈✈

        • I well aware of Flight paths however the USA is fastidiously working to garner allies to suppress China
          And as America now firmly in the grip of the Defence and fossil fuel industries and all thanks to a Supreme court ruling in the late 1960, s whereby they ruled that there no limit to the monies that can be donated to Senators , Congress and presidential candidates for political campaigns

          At a stroke this removed over a hundred years of guardrail legislation that usurped American
          Democracy
          All this has resulted in a situation that if not checked then The Mad Dog warlords in America are going to make a terrible mistake calculation in dealing with China
          And little do they realise just how well advanced China are to completely destroy all aggressor,s
          Who are bloody stupid and mad enough to attempt to do so
          And The UK which in Reality none other than a protectorate of The American Empire is being slowly sucked into the nefarious activities
          Of These out of control lobbyists who very much in full control of Congress and the Senate
          IMPORTANT any on here care to clearly Identify exactly what ‘ The China Threat is ‘
          A very loose term always and always used by Western Politicians ,
          And Pseudo Intellectual MSM commentators
          They are very much complicit in the
          Plundering into a Serious conflict with China that had profound and terrible Amplifying consequences
          For the West in particular
          Arm yourself with the simple facts by study of Chinese History ( 5000 yrs old ) their culture and beliefs
          If you do so then you should become aware that China is basically what is termed as a Confucian civilisation and this then forces you to understand fully the Philosophy of Confucious
          Something mostly beyond the capabilities of 99.9 % of Western Minds
          But I refer you to the 12 th Anecht of
          Confucious which explains the Art of Proper , Moral , Duties and responsibilities of good governance by all who hold power over the people
          Then you have a basic understanding of How China functions
          China historically always a great democracy
          Not believe me
          Then explain why in their long history as to why many a Dynasty has been disposed of by the People
          And replaced by one that shall govern as the 12 th Anecht of Confucious, who’s philosophy is firmly derived from Zen Buddhism
          Which in turn firmly anchored in the Philosophy of Bhuda of 2400 yrs ago
          China always absorbs and accepts
          Others who then if honourable and respectful are entirely allowed to develop their beliefs in their own unique manner greatly different from the original and where they came from
          China only demands with One thing
          And that’s Mutual respect and no attempt to interfere in the affairs of each other
          Why because to all Chinese Unity is so vital and important that never ever shall any even consider far less attempt to ‘ Divide then Rule ‘ China
          and that’s exactly why their civilisation is 5000 yrs old
          Western philosophy is relatively modern in comparison and firmly anchored in Slavery, Colonialism , Plunder , Looting and complete Hegomonic power over most other nations mainly developing and global South Nations
          Such behaviour has no future if mankind is to succeed in confronting and dealing with the most serious of Ending of all Human Civilisation by the massive problems clearly confronting us noew.
          Big big big clue The Fossil fuel industries and their financial backers are the ones firmly in control of Western Governments
          Got it
          Do not dare to counter with China
          and it’s CO 2 emissions
          Because should you then the facts shall only prove that indeed you are a complete and utter fool
          And I care not for the grammar of this post
          Because if any retort then you merely confirm that indeed you are hard of thought and although may appear educated and intelligent
          But in reality have no wisdom and possess a really thick cranium when it comes to such matters

          • Ummm…er…could we distill this diatribe into the simple statements: “We are the Borg Collective (aka ChiComs). Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.” You may be assured the Federation has an alternative plan.

          • What a lot of drivel and utter Bovine Scatology
            Even The UK news paper The Times
            Published numerous articles highlighting the serious pitfalls when the UK confirmed their order for F35, s
            Of course all completely ignored
            Along with the terrible consequences upon UK defence budgets which has resulted in a even faster decline of actual defence capabilities
            And at this juncture I now rest my case
            Any future serious conflict shall be the Jury upon such matters

          • According to your reading of things Confucianism presumably advocates stealing others wealth and intellectual property, hostage diplomacy, coercive measures against individuals abd groups (even those that the authorities know are innocent) and outright lying when said authorities are caught doing any and all of the above ( plus any I’ve forgotten to mention). Because that is what the Chinese Govt. advocates, supports and carries out every single day.

            NOTHING to be proud of.

        • Get your facts correct
          It’s welcome from Edinburgh
          The only matter that is in excess
          Of your presumptuous arrogance
          Appears to be Stupidy

          • Are you in the massive Chinese compound at Murrayfield in Edinburgh? I always wondered why China needed such a massive diplomatic presence in a state capital.

          • Certainly not
            And I compelled to correct you
            Edinburgh is not a State capital
            If it were so then the Chinese building in Edinburgh would not be a consulate it would be a Embassy
            International Diplomatic protocol
            Demands that another States Embassy is located in the host States capitol and consulates located in Regions, Colonies or protectorates of the State who govern the latter

            If I was your Tutor and upon such
            Basic inaccuracy presented in writing upon given task
            Then you be very firmly and clearly
            Informed that should you continue to present such basic and glaringly
            Obvious errors then your continuation with this course will be
            In serious jepodary
            Check and Double check your sources that what you wish to place
            In writing before pen put to paper
            And should you fail to apply all due diligence then upon publication your peers shall immediately call into Question your capabilities to function in the field of expertise upon which you claim you practice

          • Honestly I’m not sure which is worse, your lack of grasp of the English language or your ignorance of the United Kingdom legal structure of which you claim to be from.

            A state is a subdivision of a country
            The United Kingdom is a country.
            Scotland is a state of that country.
            The United States is a country
            California is a state
            Australia is a country
            New South Wales is a state
            Germany is a country
            Bavaria is a state.

            Edinburgh has a consulate because it’s a state capital.

            If you are going to do trolling for the Chinese state atleast look up the country you claim to be from.

          • Punctuation not your strongpoint, use of capitols very bad/ borderline poor.
            Must try harder. 😂

          • You should know the UK does not have state capitals 🤣🤣🤣🤣. Poor performance my Chinese friend.

      • China has impressive forces that have never really been tested in combat. UK / US / NATO air forces attend very realistic exercises and have been at ‘war’ with various ‘factions’ for over 30 years. China has numbers but not necessarily the tactics and know how to fight and win. Look at Russia’s performance regarding Ukraine – a ‘3 day’ operation to take Kiev……..

    • Nothing could pleased me more than this mission together in the Pacific. Last year, 🇫🇷 sent 14 planes, I thought that it wasn’t enough. I am really happy that the joint expeditionary force 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 starts to assemble in this air mission.
      I just remark that Typhoon go to the refuel a bit more often than Rafale… What about pilotes? 😉

  2. Will a variation of this exercise be conducted in support of CSG25? Combined arms exercises are routinely held by NATO; the same pattern should be replicated in the I-P. 🤔

    • Seems like they are doing this every year to Darwin now so I presume so but don’t know if CSG25 will be visiting Australia.

      This goes to show just how capable NATO+ forces are in comparison to the Autocracy forces . Imagine China or Russia both rapidly deploying combat jets like this to Venezuela, no chance. Most major European airforces have now deployed combat jets to Australia in the past year.

      • Would rather not dwell on the potential capabilities of the ChiComs next decade. PLA/PLAAF/PLAN could all metastasize like cancer Agree that the Orcs are probably caged for the foreseeable future, unless they expand thru Europe.

        • I agree next decade is likely the danger point, after that their demographics will prohibit them from any action. By the end of the century the combined population of the five eyes countries will likely exceed them.

          • Not too sure but I believe that currently the 5 eyes population is about a billion short of China’s, given the 75 year time frame, that’s a lot of “copulation for the population” !

          • Current projections for 2100 are

            US 370m
            UK 80m
            Canada 54m
            Australia 42m
            NZ 6 m

            China 700m

            However population projects over the last few decades have consistently over estimated China population which is likely much smaller than they currently state and under estimated the growth in English speaking countries.

          • With regards English speaking nations
            Care to let us all know
            In terms of being able to Read ,Write and properly speak to communicate
            As to what language is the most numerous globally today
            If you savvy enough and go research then you in for one helluva
            Fright

          • Well it’s not English in first language that’s for sure.

            But English is easily the fastest growing. In 2100 virtually everyone will speak English at least as a second language.

          • I have seen certain predictions and you are correct by all accounts, English will be and is on track to be the most spoken language later this century.

          • Totally wrong Spanish is the fastest growing language ( There more Spanish Speakers in the USA Than English ones )
            And as for the most profilic global language tis Classical Arabic
            Which in turn goes a long way to explain why the West is rapidly losing its Hegomonic grip upon Global geo political economic and
            Military affairs as Islamic and Arab
            States now alining themselves with China and the global Sth by way of the BRICS intitative which has China , India , Brazil , Russia , Saudi Arabia , UAE along with many more having
            Full membership along with a ever growing list of Nations applying or seriously considering joining
            For Example Thailand has now submitted formal application and Turkey preparing to apply
            Add the Population of these member and applicant states
            And calculate the proportional
            % of global population and share of GDP
            Then you very quickly realise that massive Tectonic shifts are well underway which shall result in the
            End of Western Hegomonic behaviour for once and all
            That’s the simple facts of the reality
            Of which exists and growing exponentially so
            In fact the fastest growing economies today may be considered what is termed as Confucian Societies

          • More the Fool you are India has full
            Membership Of the BRICS initiative
            Go study and here’s what you.shall
            Discover
            1. All participating members whilst trading with each can agree to exchange goods using their own currency or another by mutually agreeing as opposed to using the $
            This has at a stroke giving massive
            Advantage for it’s economy over Western economies by way of the Purchase of Russian Oil & Gas at heavily discounted prices
            Note Saudia Arabia also a full BRIC member and now accepts payment for its Natural resources by fellow BRICS member Nations currencies

            2. All BRICS loans for infrastructure projects are given in the from of US $
            Treasury bonds but repayments by
            BRICS members currencies

            Now go to the Maths and see how this erodes the Hegomonic power
            Of the $
            10 yrs ago Global trade in commodities paid for using the $
            Was 99 % of the total
            Today reduced to 92 % with the decline of usage growing rapidly

            Now apply to Port Talbot steel works ( Indian owned )
            Current price of Steel £ 1300 / tonne
            And the average energy input costs to produce Steel ( A key component of Naval warships ) is 35 % of total production costs

            So let’s apply then 1 tonne of steel has £ 455 pounds of unavoidable energy costs
            India and China with 35 % discounted Russian energy
            Have energy costs of only £ 296 / tonne paying £ 1144 / tonne
            What do you think the future for
            Port Talbot steel is now
            And that’s without factoring in the effects of paying by way of BRICS currencies
            And as this article pertains to defence
            The RN orders a ship with 40,000 tonnes of steel immediately if Port Talbot or Western manufactured steel costs are up by £ 6.200, 000
            At a stroke
            Hence indeed thou art a fool and appear to reside upon a Planet other than Earth

          • Every single word in your paragraph is just a lie, I’m not bothering to debate you, you have no idea what your saying. You’re just making shit up.

            You’re certainly not from Edinburgh as you claim.

          • And, Terrible punctuation from one playing the pedant card earlier.
            Walter Mitty springs to mind !

          • In all my years I’ve never seen China’s population as low as 700 million, virtually every census put’s the current population at 1.4 Billion and equal to India’s or there about.
            In order for this to decline, there would have to be some pretty serious decline in birth rate and a death rate unseen in history before.
            Can you put a link on here as I would love to read it for myself.

          • The 700 million in (2100) figure is from the UN and supported by the Chinese government although even they are unsure on their current numbers as census data has been faked for decades. They may have 100 million less people now than they claim.

            You may have heard of the one child policy, it worked really well.

            Now they can’t get people to have one child.

            China has one of the lowest birth rates in the world.

            They are at 1.16 and that’s rapidly dropping.

            All of east Asia is the same.

            They also have close to zero scope for immigration unlike the Anglosphere countries on account of people in China being deeply racist and most people considering their country to be a total shit hole run by a despotic government that cares little for its own people.

            You don’t see many people trying to swim into China like they do to the UK or Australia.

          • Morning Jim, out of interest, I started looking into this as you got me wondering. Just on Wiki it says that Chinese official figures are 1.41 Billion and that between 2021-2, there was a population decrease of 850,000 (disputed) however I’d be amazed even given the current low birth rate that the population would halve by 2100. Just my personal thoughts though. Either way it will be interesting to see what happens, same thing regarding India and other Asian populations.
            Interesting post.👌

          • According to World Bank, PRC has an average life expectancy of 79. According to OECD, without migration, a nation needs a birth rate of 2.1 to maintain its population. So in 2100 (a little over 75years), most people alive in China today will be dead or close to. If 2.1 keeps it level, 1.1 will halve it.

            India is currently sitting at just over 2.1 (it’s been steadily dropping), with its population to max out in around 40 years at around 1.7 billion.

  3. I really do regret this is an RAF deployment. If we think about it logically we should be using the FAA F35 contingent here and thinking about Naval aviation in the India-Pacific.
    Otherwise we are back to 1965 and the RAF’s island sea control ideas using F111’s and the disasterous Healey cuts! Remember that, I do. Oh that’s a not so funny coincidence.
    Anything East of the Middle East should always be FAA and linked in some form with RN.
    It seems obvious the RAF is out to prove once more we dont need Naval Aviation.

    • The current level of FAA Aircraft numbers (Joint RAF) would negate any possibility of such an op, together with the fact that both Carriers are either OOA for months or tied up in port having intensive maintenance. This lays bare the total lack of foresight and shocking lack of care the previous two governments have given to out armed forces and their capabilities. To be able to send a small contingent of aircraft and crew 10 thousand miles away is a miracle in itself, to my mind. Current airworthy Fighter numbers way below 100 is a staggeringly low number and I just don’t get why people aren’t up in arms about this.
      There may just well come a time where the not so many “Few” have to once again face the “Many”. Except this time, the Governments have had ample time to prepare. There is no excuse.

      • Most of the public don’t give a toss, and politicians know it.
        And that will only get worse, how many of our population were not even born here? As the migrant population expands, some integrate, many don’t.
        Why should migrants have any interest whatsoever in the armed forces of the nation that settles them?
        Save a war, I cannot see the vast majority of the population sitting up and taking notice, or even realising just what has happened to the armed forces since the 90s.

        • I’m not sure I share your nostalgia for the forces of the 90’s, I was in the TA late 90’s, all our kit was shit. Our rifles didn’t work, radio’s were always an issue and boots would fall to bits. Loads of tanks, most in maintenance, cheap as chip carriers with limited planes escorted by cheap as chips destroyers with dated missiles not fitted for but not with just not fitted with basics like sea wolf to save a few quid.

          I look at the kit the guys have today over all three branches, everything seems much better than what we had.

          Major reduction in numbers that’s for sure but then there is a major reduction in the threat environment as well.

          We might have had 1000 tanks and 130,000 soldiers but we struggled to send 1 Division to Iraq in 91 or 2 brigades to the Falklands in 82.

          We would be in a much better position today to carry out either operation

          Perhaps we are worse off trying to repel the third shock army on the north German plane.

          Fortunately that is a mission that no longer exists.

          • Morning Jim.
            Yes, the numbers bother me.
            Who said I have nostalgia? The cuts I highlight beyond the 91 OFC were financial.
            I’m not saying we must return to those levels, and you know well enough that I talk up our capabilities and quality, like you’re doing.
            But the fact remains, we are now too small. Even modest increases in certain areas are vital.
            Interesting you were TA. Only a few units in Scotland if you were in a Scots based outfit.

  4. I see Ex Pitch Black has now started. But the headline maker so far has been the arrival in Darwin for participation in the exercise of the Italian Navy’s Cavour Carrier Strike Group. It’s become an embarrassment that a RN TG hasn’t visited Australia for 26(?) years. All eyes now on an announcement by the new government concerning CSG25, will it go ahead and if so how many warships and aircraft will be assigned? Assigning two frigates and two destroyers would denude UK water of escorts, whilst an air group of 18 F-35B’s would leave few or none operational, combat standard, aircraft at Marham.

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