Breaking News M.O.D
- 31 May 2011 17:03108350The Ministry of Defence is spending £26m renting a ship from Norway which will be used by the Royal Navy, it has confirmed.
The HMS Protector will be crewed by 76 Royal Navy personnel
The ice-breaker MV Polarbjorn will be renamed the HMS Protector when it is commissioned into the Navy on June 23. News of the three-year contract emerged as the service undergoes a round of cuts - including the loss of aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal, Harrier jump-jets, and 5,000 jobs.
The ship will patrol the waters around the Falkland Islands and South Atlantic and take on the Navy's Antarctic mission. The ship has undergone a refit involving the repositioning of the flight deck from the bridge roof to the stern.
There has also been the installation of a multi-beam echo sounder survey system, an overhaul of the main engines and gearboxes and the addition of naval insignia.
An MoD spokeswoman said: "HMS Protector offers a highly capable and value-for-money solution to fulfil the important ice patrol ship capability while a decision is made on the future of HMS Endurance."
The loan will be for an initial period of three years while the MoD considers whether to repair or replace HMS Endurance, which suffered major flooding off Chile in 2008.Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - 31 May 2011 17:05108351
Sorry unsure why the photo didn't come out on last post.Blast still hasn't displayed. Sorry!Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - 31 May 2011 17:30108357had that problem on and off since yesterday, what i do is press preview post and if it doesn't come out then press cancel and try again later.
- 31 May 2011 17:31108358What's unusual about this? We have a history of leasing equipment.
Phantom F4's, Sentry Aircraft, Heavy lift aircraft and also ships 'taken up from trade' have previously been leased.
In fact I do believe that Endurance was originally leased from the Norwegians who have expertese in ice breakers.
I understand that this is the most cost effective option available to fill a capability gap that has arisen since Endurance nearly sank off Chile. - 31 May 2011 19:06108374Its tactical planning. We have many allies, so to lease military equipment such as a ship works out to be economically beneficial, and is proof that many allied countries can reduce their individual spending on military equipment and share it with one another.Chanters, Drums and Drones Potty Time http://youtu.be/99fMqpjnXYA
Rule Britannia!
Kent First http://youtu.be/04F3mAP3fV4 Keep banging on http://youtu.be/qYCU_SKmkGQ
