The (Naval) Deal of the Century

[+allenjb42 4,308]

In an era of shifting geopolitical dynamics, the United States sought to withdraw from it's role as the world's policeman and it's President saw the opportunity for the ultimate defence deal - leasing Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and selling the accompanying aircraft to certain friendly countries.

The increase in US defence spending and a ramping up of Ford class carrier production ('the Admirals have a name picked out for the next carrier. It's a beautiful name, the best, but I can't tell you what it is') enabled the US to prematurely release some of the earlier Nimitz-class carriers from front-line duties, and while such a move would be unprecedented, it would serve both the US and the recipient nations' interests in maintaining regional stability whilst reducing America's spend on defending others, and offset the trade deficit between the US and countries it had accused of 'ripping them off' by selling more to America than America had sold to them.

Japan was the first recipient. Previously constrained by constitutional limitations on offensive military capabilities, the country had gradually expanded its defense posture in response to growing threats from China and North Korea. Leasing a Nimitz-class carrier would significantly enhance Japan’s ability to project power and defend its territorial integrity, particularly around the East China Sea and Taiwan Strait, as well as to protect it's trade routes through the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.

For the U.S., leasing a carrier could strengthen the alliance, share the burden of maintaining maritime security, and enable a more distributed force posture without requiring permanent overseas American carrier basing.

The carriers would retain the CVN-xx designation, and could be recalled to US Navy service if necessary, allowing the U.S. to retain strategic influence over the assets, although the recipient naton was allowed to choose to rename the vessel.

Along with the lease of the carrier came the purchase of aircraft. JASDF F-15 units were re-equipped with various versions of the F/A-18 Superhornet, F-35A orders were switched to the navalised F-35C variant, and additional E-2 Hawkeyes were purchased, as crews from both the carrier and it's air wing were sent to the appropriate US Navy schools to learn new skills and US Navy personnel were seconded as advisers for at least the first deployment.

By early 2027 CVN-70, formerly USS Carl Vinson, set off on it's first deployment as JS Akagi, a historic name chosen in honour of the earlier carrier that had been flagship of the 1st Air Fleet, the Kido Butai. 

That first cruise set the template for most future deployments, beginning with a 3 week shakedown in the Kuril Islands, including intercepts of snooping Russian Bears and other aircraft types,  followed by a power projection transit through the South China Sea, including exercises with friendly nations' navies.

Exiting via the Straits of Malacca into the Indian Ocean, further exercises were held with the Indian Navy while real-world ASW and air intercept sorties by the air wing kept prying Pakistani (and their Chinese allies') assets at arm's length, before Akagi took up station for around six months in the Arabian Sea. Forays into both the Straits of Hormuz and the Red Sea would feature in all cruises by the Akagi and it's battle group, and the air wing would fly many combat missions, hitting targets in the air, on land and at sea as needed. 

 Relief on station would be by either a US carrier, or more frequently a former US carrier, and Akagi would return home, again making it's presence felt in the South China Sea, for rest and refit before the next deployment.

Edited 23 hours ago by allenjb42
spelling

[+daddyairplanes 11,102]

i could complain that the sale of capital ships is forbidden under US law. but i could see the current Congress passing an exemption or overturning it. the catch would then be to get the assests in Japan's hands before 2027, when the presumably Democrat led Congress takes over and starts fighting POTUS tooth and nail....

[+ravenclaw_007 8,108]

dont give a certain president this ideas , he may want to make that deal    

nice idea , maybe one carrier for the German Navy with Navy Thypoon`s   

[Wrench 10,149]

I like it ... even a 'historic" foray into the Indian Ocean. Did they make a port call at  Trincomalee ?

[+allenjb42 4,308]

3 hours ago, ravenclaw_007 said:

dont give a certain president this ideas , he may want to make that deal    

nice idea , maybe one carrier for the German Navy with Navy Thypoon`s   

There are a few more deals planned, and Germany may be on the ‘most favoured nations’ list 

Any suggestions for a suitable name for their carrier?

And do we have a navalised Typhoon available?

Edited 14 hours ago by allenjb42

[Stratos 3,242]

Very funny.

[Wrench 10,149]

Why not "Graf Zepplinn" ??? An aerial pioneer (and yes, I know the context for the unfinished KMS boat)

[+Gepard 12,276]

14 hours ago, ravenclaw_007 said:

nice idea , maybe one carrier for the German Navy with Navy Thypoon`s   

A german carrier and some german Typhoons

I think the Royal Navy would go mad!

 

 

[+allenjb42 4,308]

Convert to a robot body

1 hour ago, Wrench said:

Why not "Graf Zepplinn" ??? An aerial pioneer (and yes, I know the context for the unfinished KMS boat)

I was thinking ‘Rostock’ as most modern German warships are named after places and that’s where the navy headquarters is located.