via the Scotsman.com
Amazing.THE government yesterday admitted that it had considered bringing back one of its aircraft carriers and the Harrier jump jets for the Libya operations.In a response to the defence select committee’s report on the Libya conflict, the government suggested it thought about reversing its decision to mothball the carriers and Harriers in the strategic defence and spending review (SDSR). The reponse also said that the National Transitional Council, which led the anti-Gaddafi forces, could be subject to war crimes prosecutions if evidence emerged. The report said the conflict is expected to have cost £199 million, just £1m under the promised maximum total.
Labour defence committee member Thomas Docherty said: “This admission on the carrier is yet another example of the SDSR unravelling.”
Simply amazing.
I don't know whats more stunning. The decision to sell the Harriers...The admission that they were going to put the Harriers back in operation...The switch to the F-35C or the possibility of switching back to the F-35B.
This whole thing smacks of politics of the worse sort.
Has anyone noticed that not one of the British Army's programs are caught up in the mess that is the furball between the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force?
I wonder why that is? Are they just too big to be fucked with? Or are they considered not to be players in this grudge match?
One thing is certain. THIS LOOKS BAD. REAL BAD.
Honestly British defense policy the past twenty years just continues to amaze. The Army has been cut fairly significantly but because they're the lead service actively serving overseas they've continued to get enough funding even as they get smaller. While that seems rather sensible given troops actively in combat it's the long term defense posture that continues to pay the price.
ReplyDeleteThe RN especially has simply been gutted in favor of the RAF and the RAF has sacrificed all in favor of one tactical fighter, much like the USAF.
i agree with your assesement, the navy has been gutted, the raf in the background, pulling the strings!!
DeleteIt's worth noting the following regarding Britain's armed forces and the civil service (The real UK Gov). The Navy and to lesser extent the Army has always been able to distance themselves from interference in operations etc from Whitehall. This is mostly by virtue of being able to disappear over the horizon or go on manoeuvres. To that end the Navy especially has driven the civil service nuts for about the last 200 years if not longer. The RAF however with its history of working from fixed unmoving bases within easy reach of controlling influence from the civil service has had to learn to play the Whitehall game since its inception, and has got very good at it! So good that often the other two services just cannot compete. unfortunately this has led to some pretty lousy decision over the last 60 years and it doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteGuthy