AU Royal Navy discussion

[Croatian Sailor]

Hi guys, a question for discussion about AU RN.

In a world where much stronger France and Spain (she never lost 7YearsWar, and neither side really managed to decisivly defeat another after that) is the main enemy of the UK- what would the RN look today? Good thing for UK is that she is still in personal union with American colonies (basicly an Eastern Seaboard plus some areas behind Appalachians).

 

[Yellow Palace]

With a divergence 300 years in the past? Could be anything from a world-conquering battlefleet of fusion-powered megacarriers to the coastguard of a rump state.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

This is beyond the scope of this section.

 

[Dilandu]

In a world where much stronger France and Spain (she never lost 7YearsWar, and neither side really managed to decisivly defeat another after that) is the main enemy of the UK- what would the RN look today? Good thing for UK is that she is still in personal union with American colonies (basicly an Eastern Seaboard plus some areas behind Appalachians).

Impossible to predict without detailed timeline.

 

[Croatian Sailor]

Okay, as detailed as possible:

France and Spain and Italy ( under rule of Bourbon dynasty ) are forming one block. They have influence on at least western part of Germany ( Prussia is weakened ), within Germany only Austrian Empire is really opponent of that Bourbon alliance. Russia ( that holds Poland ) is also an opponent of that shall we say Bourbon alliance.

On other side, we have a Britain that has union ( something like EU/NATO relationship ) with their former American colonies. UK also has as dominions ( settler colonies ) Western Australia and Natal-Transvaal area in South Africa, plus some smaller ( like Jamaica, Barbados, Virgin Islands etc. ) or larger ( like Nigeria, Namibia, Kenya... ) colonies ( or former colonies ) from Carribean, to Africa, to Asia. And, a Bengal part of India- as colony/former colony.

Mediterranean is mostly a Bourbon alliance lake, with Gibraltar returned to Spain. Turks are allies ( mostly ) with Bourbon alliance. North African area is mostly French/Spanish/Italian colonies.
Latin American countries are former Spanish colonies. Relationship with Spain is more-less like British dominions with UK.

French dominions are Canada ( OTL plus until Ohio and Missouri River ) and Louisiana ( both sides of Mississippi, up to Missouri ). In Louisianna you might have Huguenots, that might have rebelled against the French rule during some troubled times for France, with british/Anglo-American help- and they are independent republic. Canada is, on the other hand, still in personal union with France. France also has the rest of Australia as settler colony/dominion.
The rest of French colonies are as in OTL, with most of India as ( former ) colony or vassal states under French influence ( maybe not whole India- Sikhs might remain independent with Russian help ).

I don't have it all figured out, as you can see.

 

[Croatian Sailor]

Okay, considering no takers, a few thoughts of my own.

Obviously, having a not friendly France ( that also has Belgium ) and Netherlands ( under French influence ) across the Channel/North Sea, in modern times means that main fleet bases of the RN will be further north, in Scotland ( Scapa Flow or somewhere on Scottish mainland- like Loch Ewe )- because of danger of air attack.
With Channel and North Sea being shallow, in southern bases like Plymouth/Portsmouth, there will be lighter forces, like FACs and coastal missile batteries, no submarines except maybe some small submarines. Submarine warfare would be conducted away from either Channel/North Sea or French coast, more in deeper ares of Atlantic.
On the other hand, in Mediterranean, RN might use bases in Austrian Empire for refueling/rest, while fleet submarines might be more suited for RN operations there. Also, RN might use ports in Portugal, like Lagos, as some sort of replacement for Gibraltar.
RAF would have anti-shipping mission as one of their main missions. Maybe the RN would take that over, while the RAF concentrates of air-defence of the UK and expeditionary air warfare.
RN and Royal American Navy ( and other Commonwealth navies ) would be even more integrated than in OTL, probably sharing ship designs and weapons, to lower the costs of development and procurement. Probably other military services as well.