Very enjoyable debut episode!

Retake the Falklands? I’m not sure the RN could retake Guernsey right now. As an American, I’m not happy about this, and it frustrates me no end to watch the British military struggle to accomplish what should be fundamental tasks, like to deploy a single destroyer to Cyprus. Yes, HMS Dragon got there, three weeks later, but it was a good thing she wasn’t needed sooner. I served alongside a number of British officers (mostly Army and RAF) in several NATO exercises many years ago, and I was always impressed by their professionalism, spirit, and military knowledge. But all this is for nought if they don’t have the tools to do the job they so obviously know how to do.

I find it telling that the goal has devolved into “could we retake the Falklands” rather than “could we defend the Falklands” or ideally“could we deter Argentinian aggression in the first place”.

Great to see a new series thanks to all involved

I was born in Malta in 1967; this is what the British Royal Navy was equipped with!

5 x aircraft carriers.
2 x commando carriers.
2 x polaris subs.
3 x Fleet subs.
43 x Diesel subs.
2 x Assault ships.
3 x Cruisers.
6 x Guided missile destroyers.
16 x Destroyers.
71 x Frigates.
1 x Minesweeper support ship.
2 x Helicopter support ships.
1 x Ice patrol ship.
1 x Heavy repair ship.
3 x Sub parent ships.
1 x Destroyer depot ship.
6 x Maintenance ships.
5 x Survey ships.
7 x Survey craft.
75 x Coastal Minesweepers.
25 x Inshore minesweepers.
7 x Coastal minelayers.
5 x Tank landing ships.
30 x Tank landing craft.
60 x Minor landing craft.
10 x Experimental vessels.
7 x Fast patrol boats.
7 x Seaward defense boats.
19 x Fleet supply ships.
35 x Fleet oilers.
28 x Boom defense vessels.
7 x Ocean salvage vessels.
6 x Coastal salvage vessels.
2 x Cable vessels.
12 x Fleet tenders.
15 x Armament carriers.
20 x Water carriers.
80 x Fleet berthing tugs.
130 x service craft.

Personnel stood at 104,000 today; it's 28,000, with a total of 63 active ships worldwide operating in 2026. And many of those will not be fit for service until at least 2030.
We would be lucky to protect our own coastline, never mind retake the Falklands!

This is needed and timely.

The US navy has also been abused but not to the degree of the royal navy.
They miss about 60 Frigates and half of their dockyards that they need.
The USN is so large they can hise problems easier but they also have more comittments

Amazing quality

Great comments between two intelligent people. Thanks.
Greetings from Mexico City.

I'm not a Brit, but I found this very illuminating. Can't wait to see more from this series.

The decline of British industry after WW1 (which was partly self-inflicted) & the shift from coal to oil at the beginning of the 20th century had a significant impact on the decline of British and European naval powers.

Lack of ready access to domestic oil had a bigger impact than most folks recognize.

Awesome to hear Adm. Dr. Parry bring the cold, hard realpolitik.

Really enjoyed it thanks 👍

An excellent episode full of hard hitting truths. The progression of decline was very well explained by Admiral Doctor Parry and the presentation of home truths were, indeed, very disconcerting .

I think the UK needs to mass produce a solid, but relatively inexpensive frigate/destroyer and get their fleet numbers up.  Maybe the Type 31 can be that?  But get hulls in the water with modest but functional VLS systems (maybe just 32 or 48).  Make them modular and upgradable so older hulls can be easily retrofitted to keep them current.  And just punch them out.  Maybe a CODAG system like the Legend NSC has so they can economically have a long range and a dependable relatively simple power plant.

Thank you for this; great content!

Great product, thank you!

Very good program gentlemen

I think the Royal Navy as it is right now should be scuttled to protect its reputation

Well said, simply well said. My compliments, sir.