What is ASW?

What is the threat?

To the UK

To British interests overseas

Outline of ASW capabilities pre-SDSR

UK ASW Area of interest

Changes brought about through SDSR

Why change?

What next?

Warfare against enemy submarines

Combined operations consisting of:

Warships (Frigates)

Aircraft

Friendly Submarines

Other Assets (Space, Sea Bed)

Multi-Sensor

Locate, Track, Deter/Damage/Destroy

Cold-War – Soviet Russia

Modern Cold-War – China?

Mutually Assured Destruction – Nuclear Deterrent

Strategic Capability

11 SSBN (ICBM)

5 SSGN (Tactical Missile)

17 SSN (Sub vs Sub)

17 SS (Sub vs Sub)

3 SSBN in trials

Around 10 other specialist submarines

Possibly the same this number in reserve

Argentina – 3 Diesel Electrics

China – 51 Diesel Electric, 14 Nuclear

Korea – 20 Diesel Electric, 50+ Midget

Iran – 3 Diesel Electric, 25 Midget

Pakistan – 5 Diesel Electric

India – 20 Diesel Electric, 6 Nuclear

Terrorism

13 Type 23 Frigate

9 Nimrod MRA 4

Around 30 Merlin HM1

Multi-Role, primarily ASW

Max speed 30 kts

Flight deck for 1 Merlin

Towed array sonar

Short range surface radar

ESM

Multi-Role, primarily ASW

Max speed 500 kts

Endurance 15hrs unrefuelled (Air to air)

Very capable radar, sonar and ESM

Multi-Role, primarily ASW

Max speed 160 kts

Endurance 5hrs

Ship or landbased

Radar, sonar and

ESM

Non-introduction of Nimrod MRA4

Re-rolling of other assets to cover the capability gap

Option Annual Cost Cost per Unit Operating Cost £/Hr

Nimrod MRA4 £200 Million £400 Million* £30,000

Type 26 Frigate £340 Million £300 Million

Merlin HM1 (Estimated)

£15 Million £28,000

* Much higher than projected costs due to project overruns.

P8-A Poseidon

Casa CN-295M

There is a need for a Maritime Patrol Aircraft

Cost is an overriding factor

Replacing the Nimrod MRA4 would take 10+ years

Experience and skills will fade over time