HMS Queen Elizabeth delayed sailing today due to strong easterly winds in what is a good example of risk-vs-operational imperative decision making. The following short read is a counter to the resulting ‘what if we had to go to war and it was windy’ commentary. Let me start this by saying I have only everContinue reading "Mind the gap"
A Rank Issue
It was recently announced by the Royal Navy that the internationally respected position of Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) is to be discontinued. The new position is one rank lower (Commodore) and in an intelligent bit of branding, to be called Commander Fleet Operational Sea Training. So still FOST, basically. The response to this acrossContinue reading "A Rank Issue"
Walking the Hunt
Many of a Hunt Class’s mine-hunter's hull-design characteristics are based on the requirement for it to accurately hold position at sea whilst prosecuting mines. Relatively large propellers & rudders, a bow-thruster, a rounded hull form & shallow draft all assist with this. These same characteristics also mean that it can ‘walk’ sideways during berthing andContinue reading "Walking the Hunt"
Sabering Seahorses
Yesterday, it was announced that there is to be Principal Warfare Officer badge. Noting that the crowd that care about this is small but passionate, here are my thoughts. Background. A Principal Warfare Officer (PWO), in very brief, is the person who fights the ship. They sit in the operations room and aggregate multiple sourcesContinue reading "Sabering Seahorses"
Good Mine Hunting
On April 4, the Wavell Room kindly published the first part of a blog on future mine hunting options for the RN. The link is here and the summary here: “The Royal Navy’s mine hunting fleet provides the UK with a world-leading war-fighting capability that is on essential live operations in the UK and elsewhereContinue reading "Good Mine Hunting"
‘And e’en the Ranks of Treasury could scarce Forbear to Cheer’
This was written for the Naval Review in 1995 by Captain Richard Sharpe OBE when he was the editor of Jane's Fighting Ships. It speaks to the ongoing debate about the military's freedom to communicate, sparked yesterday (21 Apr 20) by the reissue of the MOD's guidance on "Contact with the Media and Communicating inContinue reading "‘And e’en the Ranks of Treasury could scarce Forbear to Cheer’"
Iranian response options after the death of Soleimani
The person. One of the most experienced and hardened military leaders in the world who rose to power during the Iran/Iraq war. Soleimani had a legendary status within Iran. His link to the Supreme Leader was well known as was his authority to act on his behalf. He was arguably the second most powerful manContinue reading "Iranian response options after the death of Soleimani"
A Matter of Balance and Mass
Why the Royal Navy needs both Max Hastings rather depressingly suggests here that the new aircraft carriers are an expensive white elephant that are both vulnerable and reflective of muddled defence thinking. Below are some of my thoughts that may or may not add to this debate. To deliver a sustainable range of naval capabilities;Continue reading "A Matter of Balance and Mass"
Crisis Communications and ‘That’ Interview
“My reputation is under increasing and now unbearable pressure. I have a communications team but they don’t really understand the weight of my responsibility. I think I need their help, but they’re telling me in so many words to do….very little. (Why do I pay them?) I’m a natural leader and charismatic communicator. I canContinue reading "Crisis Communications and ‘That’ Interview"
LBC Interview
Transcript of LBC radio interview - Eddie Mair and Tom Sharpe. 13 Aug 19 at 5:20pm
Tom Sharpe OBE 