The Warship 9Pm

[Maydup]

There’s a programme on BBC2 this evening following HMS QE on her first mission. A gruelling 7 month voyage it says! How can it be gruelling?! We’re not at war.

The ship cost £3.5 billion to build and there are 1600 people aboard for 7 months, whatever that costs. They won’t be on minimum wage that’s for sure.

Anyone else disagree with this level of spend?

I’m going to watch just so I can be fully informed when I moan about it!

[sandyRoe]

Did they ever get the planes it is supposed to carry?

[Maydup]

Yet to watch the programme Sandy. Tell you later.

[sandyRoe]

Ok

[Maydup]

14 jets at £100m each and helicopters.

[Prudie]

I think it probably would be rather tough sleeping in a small bunk for 7 months with lots of other restrictions. I understand people will whinge about the spend - until we do enter a conflict situation and then we are expected to pull out all the stops. After all, who would ever think Russia would invade Ukraine in this day and age.

[Maydup]

Agree Prudie. Watching the programme was an eye opener.

[andy-hughes]

No peace or privacy - they couldn't pay me enough to do that for a week!!

[MissTerious2]

Oh, we missed it. Must tell MrT and catch up with it. Agree with Prudie too.

Thanks Maydup

[theshedman]

I spent 2 years on a aircraft carrier in the early 70s and I can tell you it's no picnic. Cramped conditions, no privacy away from family and friends for months on end, and on deck being soaking wet for a lot of the time. There were 2,700 on the one I was on. By the way the pay was quite bad too only grace was that pay was slightly higher on ships as didn't have to pay for food and lodgings when on board.

[nicebloke1]

And being hit by the right missile, could render it inoperable in seconds, regardless of the hype.

[theshedman]

They are protected by other ships to help stop this happening and they have anti missile deterrents on board too. This type of ship never goes to sea alone. But yes if it did get hit them it could put it out of action.

[nicebloke1]

Yes there are other ships for added protection, but like we've seen in Ukraine, if you fire enough missiles at once, the chances are that one will hit the intended target.

[theshedman]

nicebloke1, a carriers job is to get the aircraft off then after that it tries to stay out of the way until the aircraft come back. If it is damaged then the aircraft look for somewhere else to land but the carrier will have done it's job. It's nice to have people who are optimistic about these things. Not many carriers have been sunk over the years and some that were damaged were caused by accidents that happened on the carrier itself like the USS Forrestal. Overall they have good record of returning to base undamaged.

[nicebloke1]

I think you may be getting the wrong impression.I'm very impressed that the British can still build such an awesome war machine, and without doubt be watching the program. My point is really that while we build bigger and better ships, other countries are building bigger and better missiles to sink them.Its the same old story, there are no winners in any war, only destruction and dead people.But the likes of Putin will never see that, hence maybe the need for this ship.I did watch a program some time back debating on the cost of this ship, and someone said, that such a ship is a complete waste of money when you have nuclear weapons in play.The latter I dont tend to agree with fully, but does make you think about this massive investment?

[theshedman]

They are really built as a deterrent in the hope that no one will attack us as we have them the same as nukes. Don't really think most people want to actually use them in wars, Putin and a few others excluded.

[nicebloke1]

I will be watching with great interest, but I very much doubt we will be given full details of all its capabilities / fire power, but just enough to hopefully deter.

[goodgoalie]

I thought you liked cruises, andy :)

[MissTerious2]

Really enjoyed it, especially the element of humour the reprobate sailor became the star of the show. He's so adorable. Had us in stitches!