What kind of Royal Navy does Britain need now? The 21st century promises to be one of huge uncertainties and challenges for the senior service. Does Britain have the right naval strategy to cope with emerging threats (does it have a naval strategy at all, and should it?) and, if so, does the Navy have the right ships and enough of them to implement it? Given the time taken to introduce changes and develop new systems, policymakers, naval chiefs, and designers are confronted with 50-year decisions. But future choices are likely to be clouded by economic uncertainties produced by the current crisis, which could have implications for decades.Nick Childs looks at the changing strategic environment (including ever greater maritime trade and the growth of other navies such as China, India, South Korea, revolutions in North Africa and the Middle East). He asks what Britain's role in the world could or should be - is she still interventionist? (Libya says 'yes'). If so, should our forces be designed purely to work with US, UN or Western European forces? What are the options for a naval strategy? The author then considers what kind of navy would be needed to support such options. What kind of ships are needed and how many? What of aircraft carriers and the nuclear option? What are the technological developments affecting current and future warship design projects? Is the new Type 45 destroyer what is needed and worth the cost? Given the depths to which the RN has shrunk in terms of numbers, public profile, and strength relative to its peers, this probably is a critical period in terms of determining the RN's future.
Britain's Future Navy
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Having provided an outstanding overview of the Royal Navy's mission over the past three decades, veteran BBC correspondent Nick Childs has now turned to the Fleet of today and tomorrow. Britain's Future Navy is effectively a collection of penetrating essays on issues affecting strategy, long-term planning and equipment from the future carriers and F35 Joint Strike Fighters to Type 45 destroyers, manpower issues, potential operations and global partnerships. - Navy News
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is not a simple "this is the Modern Navy" nor is it a " We must have more ships" polemic
It is an informed look at how we arrived where we are and what the options are going forward
Nothing is easy and some of the choices will be very hard - both politically and economically
it would have benefited from more illustrations - especially of the non-RN ships referred to as possible replacements/alternatives
I think this is an essential read for anyone looking at the future of the UK Armed services
It is an informed look at how we arrived where we are and what the options are going forward
Nothing is easy and some of the choices will be very hard - both politically and economically
it would have benefited from more illustrations - especially of the non-RN ships referred to as possible replacements/alternatives
I think this is an essential read for anyone looking at the future of the UK Armed services
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Steve
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This author really knows his stuff and all sea blind British politicians should read this book. We are an island nation with around 96 % of all we consume coming by sea. Britain's sea lanes need to be protected as theres choke points around the world. When the Straits of Hormuz are blockaded, probably by Iran and the price of petrol goes through the roof, the British people will complain. We won't be able to do anything about it acting independently as the sea blind politicians have gotten rid of Britain's naval capabilities like sufficient hull numbers in escorts. We can't rely on America either as they're now looking towards the Pacific because of the Pacific rim economies and the rise of China. This book is very thoroughly researched and is well written. It gives an interesting account of Britain's sea power, or lack of it with practical solutions for future maritime defence needs. I thoroughly recommend it.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Jeremy
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Since the end of the Cold War, the size of Royal Navy has declined, but the number of tasks asked of it has arguably increased. An analysis of future strategic challenges - such as rogue and failing states, increased competition for natural resources, and the rise of new maritime powers like China and India - suggest this trend will accelerate in future. Indeed, in the in the era of globalisation, the sea is more important to the UK's security and prosperity than ever before, and yet the role of the Royal Navy seems at best undervalued, and at worst unknown, to most politicians and to the public at large. The decommissioned aircraft carrier Ark Royal (a class of warship to which Nick Childs devoted his earlier work, The Age of Invincible: The Ship That Defined the Modern Royal Navy) is an iconic emblem of the Senior Service's current malaise.
A former BBC defence correspondent, now covering world affairs, Nick Childs is ideally placed to provide an objective but well-informed analysis of the Royal Navy's current position and future prospects in an uncertain but interconnected world. The author reviews the key projects that will form the centrepiece of the future Royal Navy, each of which has endured a tortured development history: the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier, Astute class submarine, Type 45 destroyer and Type 26 frigate. However, Childs also takes time to discuss some of the less high profile elements that help constitute a balanced fleet - the utility and flexibility of amphibious forces, the continuing importance of minehunters, and the potential offered by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the Royal Navy's much overlooked `Cinderella' service.
In doing so, Childs explores some pertinent debates, not least whether the time has come for Admirals to choose between small numbers of sophisticated warships or larger numbers of more basic vessels. There is reference to developments elsewhere, such as the US Navy's new Littoral Combat Ship, whilst analysis of the international response to the Arab Spring and the campaign in Libya - in which the naval contribution was significant - ensures this work is right up to date.
A former BBC defence correspondent, now covering world affairs, Nick Childs is ideally placed to provide an objective but well-informed analysis of the Royal Navy's current position and future prospects in an uncertain but interconnected world. The author reviews the key projects that will form the centrepiece of the future Royal Navy, each of which has endured a tortured development history: the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier, Astute class submarine, Type 45 destroyer and Type 26 frigate. However, Childs also takes time to discuss some of the less high profile elements that help constitute a balanced fleet - the utility and flexibility of amphibious forces, the continuing importance of minehunters, and the potential offered by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the Royal Navy's much overlooked `Cinderella' service.
In doing so, Childs explores some pertinent debates, not least whether the time has come for Admirals to choose between small numbers of sophisticated warships or larger numbers of more basic vessels. There is reference to developments elsewhere, such as the US Navy's new Littoral Combat Ship, whilst analysis of the international response to the Arab Spring and the campaign in Libya - in which the naval contribution was significant - ensures this work is right up to date.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
I good read.
Some of his ideas I disagreed with, but with a much reduced Royal Navy, it would need time and more money spent to provide for our future maritime needs. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Tony
4.0 out of 5 stars
Why are we so sea blind?
Our country has had little coherent defence policy for its needs for at least 20 years and, arguably, much longer, although the Defence Review of 1997/98 did produce a good plan... Read more
Published 8 months ago by L. W. L. Chelton
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Book
This is the best book on Naval affairs that I have read for years. It summarises what has happened over the years and the impact on the Navy. Read more
Published 8 months ago by S. R. Slater
5.0 out of 5 stars
Where is a Nelson now?
Nick Childs's book should be compulsory reading for our useless politicians who have allowed,over only two decades,our Senior Service to decline to the depths it has. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mr. M. V. Harland
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