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highplainsdem

(62,329 posts)
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 08:37 AM Mar 31

Hegseth is whining that the "big bad Royal Navy" isn't helping with the Strait of Hormuz

Hegseth: "The president was clear this morning in his Truth that there are countries around the world who ought to be prepared to step up on this critical waterway as well. Last time I checked there was supposed to be a big bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that."

Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-03-31T12:30:38.751Z
24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Hegseth is whining that the "big bad Royal Navy" isn't helping with the Strait of Hormuz (Original Post) highplainsdem Mar 31 OP
Where's the "big bad" US military? leftstreet Mar 31 #1
Shut the fuck up! North Shore Chicago Mar 31 #2
I thought Hegseth planned for every contingency. surfered Mar 31 #3
He had a plan gab13by13 Mar 31 #7
None of those countries was dumb enough to start another war in the Middle East. You started it, you own it. appleannie1 Mar 31 #4
what is wrong with this guy? rampartd Mar 31 #5
Yeah, if he's already got Gaw-duh, why does he need the RN? hatrack Mar 31 #6
The UK has more horses for "the King's Guard" than it has tanks GreatGazoo Mar 31 #8
Da fuk? GenThePerservering Mar 31 #10
"501 horses ... 334 tanks" GreatGazoo Mar 31 #21
A-hem... EYESORE 9001 Mar 31 #13
That Picture is out of date hardluck Mar 31 #22
Actually, You Don't Know, Do You? MineralMan Mar 31 #15
Why do I smell RW meme.... Hmmmm? hlthe2b Wednesday #23
Let me get this straight MustLoveBeagles Mar 31 #9
The ships were getting through just fine until the US f'd it up. Katinfl Mar 31 #11
Trump, Hegseth growing increasingly exasperated with US allies nitpicked Mar 31 #12
Pottery Barn rule of international diplomacy Zambero Mar 31 #14
Hegseth is Totally Incompetent at the Job He Has. MineralMan Mar 31 #16
This mess is solely on Rapist. Let him clean it up. nt City Lights Mar 31 #17
Kegsbreath is a big bad boy. He can go fight his fucking war he started. Autumn Mar 31 #18
The UK ceded the "biggest, baddest Navy" status to the US in WWII... Wounded Bear Mar 31 #19
SNL is having so much fun with this guy. I think it's Colin Jost who plays him. CTyankee Mar 31 #20
I had thunked us tolded thems us don'tly needs thems help struggle4progress Wednesday #24

gab13by13

(32,414 posts)
7. He had a plan
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 08:49 AM
Mar 31

to invest in defense contractors right before the war started.

Sailing naval ships up to Hormuz will not be a picnic. There is a reason that our naval ships are parked out of range.

appleannie1

(5,457 posts)
4. None of those countries was dumb enough to start another war in the Middle East. You started it, you own it.
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 08:41 AM
Mar 31

GreatGazoo

(4,643 posts)
8. The UK has more horses for "the King's Guard" than it has tanks
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 09:07 AM
Mar 31

Their navy is likely only these three replica Admiral Nelson tall-masted ships.

England is a free-range theme park.

GreatGazoo

(4,643 posts)
21. "501 horses ... 334 tanks"
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 11:33 AM
Mar 31
Behind the pomp and ceremony, the (horses and) troopers are tasked with protecting the Queen and her family. They also regularly serve overseas on operations and have frequently been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, riding out on patrols in tracked Warrior armoured-personnel carriers.


https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-22951548

hardluck

(783 posts)
22. That Picture is out of date
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 02:46 PM
Mar 31

HMS Ocean was decommissioned in 2018.
HMS Albion was decommissioned in 2025 and sold to Brazil.
HMS Bulwark was decommissioned in 2025 and sold to Brazil.
Of the four Vanguard class SSBNs, HMS Victorious has been in drydock since 2024 and will not be available until at least 2028.
For the Astute class, there are six commissioned, 5 in active service, and 1 in sea trials. One other hull is in construction.
All of the Trafalgar class are decommissioned as of 2025.
Of the 6 Type 45 (Daring class) destroyers, three are in retrofit, (Daring has been in retrofit for 8 years, but is about to come back to active service). That leaves only three active destroyers.
Of the 13 Type 23 (Duke class) frigates build for the Royal Navy, 6 have been decommissioned, 1 is in retrofit, and 6 are active.

There are also the two new carriers - HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

So currently, the Royal Navy has 2 carriers, 6 destroyers (only three of which are active), 7 frigates (6 of which are active), and various support vessels. This is a shell of the former Royal Navy, even when compared to just 20 years ago, or against the fleet that took back the Falklands. Indeed, the Royal Navy cannot fully man a carrier strike group for its new carriers without support from other countries (US, Netherlands, etc.)

In comparison, look at this picture of the pre-WWII Royal Navy.
]

hlthe2b

(114,052 posts)
23. Why do I smell RW meme.... Hmmmm?
Wed Apr 1, 2026, 05:51 PM
Wednesday

I can't wait to see what's next in this ridiculous set of assertions against the UK and its military readiness.

MustLoveBeagles

(16,571 posts)
9. Let me get this straight
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 09:18 AM
Mar 31

We won't lift a finger to help our allies but they expect these same allies to drop everything and help them fix their fuck up?

nitpicked

(1,873 posts)
12. Trump, Hegseth growing increasingly exasperated with US allies
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 09:45 AM
Mar 31

(snip)
09:12

Pete Hegseth and Gen Dan Caine's briefing at the Pentagon produced very little new information that helps the world understand the course of the ongoing war in Iran.

One thing, however, stands out: the Trump administration is losing patience with what it sees as a lack of involvement from its allies, particularly as it pertains to securing shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier, the US president took to Truth Social, telling those allies to "build up some delayed courage" and "just take" the Strait.
(snip)

The defence secretary later suggested that that perceived failure may have long-term consequences for US allies overseas.
(snip)

MineralMan

(151,338 posts)
16. Hegseth is Totally Incompetent at the Job He Has.
Tue Mar 31, 2026, 10:32 AM
Mar 31

He came to that job as a National Guard Major. Now, he's telling the military's brightest General officers and Admirals what to do, based solely on what Donald Trump tells him to do.

Donald Trump is incompetent in everything, and appoints people who are more stupid and unknowledgeable than himself to cabinet positions. So, it's the Ignorant telling the Incompetent what to do. That's why everything is so fucked up.

There are cluster fucks and there are complete disasters. The Trump administration is both.

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