Useful

**Infiltrator** · 22-02-2012, 21:22

BBC reports that the contract for the new MARS ships has gone to Daewoo.

Now, does this really make sense? I understand about value for money etc, but if they were built in the UK then wouldn't a significant proportion of the cost come back into the governments coffers via income tax the wages of the workers, company taxes on the firms and VAT on the goods purchased by those who build the ships? Is this not taken into account?

BBC News - South Korea wins Royal Navy tanker deal worth Â£452m

**baldbof** · 22-02-2012, 21:44

"Chief of Defence Materiel, Bernard Gray, said: "The MARS tanker is an exceptionally versatile platform; able to simultaneously refuel an aircraft carrier and destroyer whilst undertaking helicopter resupply of other vessels".

So what's new or exceptional about that?

**chocolate_frog** · 22-02-2012, 21:59

Originally Posted by baldbof

"Chief of Defence Materiel, Bernard Gray, said: "The MARS tanker is an exceptionally versatile platform; able to simultaneously refuel an aircraft carrier and destroyer whilst undertaking helicopter resupply of other vessels".

So what's new or exceptional about that?

what about a frigate and a destroyer combo.

**cernunnos** · 22-02-2012, 22:06

Originally Posted by baldbof

"Chief of Defence Materiel, Bernard Gray, said: "The MARS tanker is an exceptionally versatile platform; able to simultaneously refuel an aircraft carrier and destroyer whilst undertaking helicopter resupply of other vessels".

So what's new or exceptional about that?

It's suggestive of a multi-tasking capability, so far the only Naval sucesses in this area have involved holding periscope bukakka parties whilst at the same time running submarines aground.

**leveller** · 22-02-2012, 22:09

So we're ordering some supply boats from the biggest ship building nation, from one of the biggest ship builders.

Somebodies in for a bollocking, where's the bungs and knighthoods?

**retread2** · 22-02-2012, 22:12

Bloody hell! It'll be delivered on time, on budget and fit for purpose. Can't have that.

**leveller** · 22-02-2012, 22:18

Originally Posted by retread2

Bloody hell! It'll be delivered on time, on budget and fit for purpose. Can't have that.

Could be even worse. It could arrive "fitted and with", followed by "fully tested and reliable".

**northern-matelot** · 22-02-2012, 22:23

Originally Posted by baldbof

"Chief of Defence Materiel, Bernard Gray, said: "The MARS tanker is an exceptionally versatile platform; able to simultaneously refuel an aircraft carrier and destroyer whilst undertaking helicopter resupply of other vessels".

So what's new or exceptional about that?

Nothing new at all, hifer and fuel RAS from ship to ship is done all the time on fort vic class RFA's. The reason for MARS is that our current RFA tankers are only single hulled which is now illegal.

**sunnoficarus** · 23-02-2012, 00:03

"…Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy said the move was "more bad news for British industry" …"

Yes, it will be bloody bad news for British Industry.

Why? Because 'British Industry' is about to be shown for the shysters they are when as usual, with Korean built ships, these ones turn up on time, on budget and 100% fit for service.

**Bubbles_Barker** · 23-02-2012, 00:07

Originally Posted by northern-matelot

Nothing new at all, hifer and fuel RAS from ship to ship is done all the time on fort vic class RFA's. The reason for MARS is that our current RFA tankers are only single hulled which is now illegal.

To be fair, they've been illegal for years. Give CDM a break - he's a commercial suit who wouldn't know a MARS tanker if he fell overboard from one.