More money is needed. Starmer rightly pointed out that debt is debt, as Rishi famously pointed out to Liz in the contest for the leadership of the Tory Party. But zero-coupon bonds, as advocated by some right-wing economists, (no interest, with relief from the capital gain) might have a role, and borrowing for investment as opposed to day to day costs is within the present fiscal rules, providing the overall level of debt is falling by the end of this Parliament. And then there is the battle for public opinion, with politicians and journalists making points like "Putin isn't going to mount a land invasion", and "there are lots of other NATO countries between us and the Russians" - essentially Jarvis's point. We need some simple explainers of how it is Putin's aim to crumble NATO, as the US backs away, the US nuke umbrella fades in credibility, and we really all need to step up.
The question for me is whether the SDR/DIP provide value for money? Spending £1 billion on 12 F35A aircraft to carry B61 bombs that are under the control of the US appears to be increasing our reliance on the US not reducing it.
What part of the UK do you live in? You do live in the UK, right? Just want to be 100% sure because there’s a tremendous number of ignorant Americans who talk out of their ass and we wouldn’t want to think that about you.
We might save Billions by getting the US to pay for those Nukes but if we are unable to use them they are not much good to us. I do think you have a point about interoperability however and at least it does give the RAF the opportunity to reskill in that area. I would prefer however to see the UK build on the experience it has gained and develop a sovereign capability.
Reality is that developing a sovereign capability has consistently proven to be a fool's errand that ends in no usable Kit. Both the public discourse and lack of the acknowledge Sovereign capacity & capabilities the F35 program has paid for and supports and will continue to support well till the end of this century.
The UK has and continues to benefit from US led programs like the F35 which the UK is the only Level 1 partner. To say spending £1 Billion on the most advanced and ubiquitous 5Gen Airframe that's the UK has already realized £20 Billion in economic value sustaining over 20,000+ UK jobs is more than prudent and wise use of an underfunded budget. Add to it that the UK is the global maintainer & repair hub for avionic at Sealund. There is untold benefit and cost savings from this deep SOVIEGN infrastructure, capacity, & capability that has primarily been paid for by US and other allies defense spending.
When forecasted out the F35 will contribute over £42.5 Billion to the UK economy. Thank God for the program over the last few decades because without it there would be no sovereign capability.
Given the lack of any political will Defense will continue to be underfunded and taking on the folly of yet another multi decade wish casting belief in 1st being able to develop then afford to purchase & sustain in any usable supportable numbers a 6th Gen aircraft is It's like the man digging the hole the first step is to stop digging. From the Nimrod fiasco, Watchkeeper waste, to saying goodbye to a Sovereign Destroyer, IFV (a wheeled replaced is not an equivalent), APC, SHORAD, capability, the list is long and sad.
GCAP is DOA under the spend plan. As history has shown any UK or EU fighter program runs late and costs 4x more than expected.
Japan is already hedging and opened a backdoor to join the US F47. Which unlike GCAP has flown and is in Manufacturing with two CCA’s selected with contracts awarded & funded.
The US has 3 flying 6th gen manned airframes and another 2 unmanned that we know about. With a 4th Naval/USMC airframes pending selection.
Meanwhile, the UK who has had a faster growing economy than Germany since Brexit has chosen funding illegal migrants over His Majesty’s Defense.
More money is needed. Starmer rightly pointed out that debt is debt, as Rishi famously pointed out to Liz in the contest for the leadership of the Tory Party. But zero-coupon bonds, as advocated by some right-wing economists, (no interest, with relief from the capital gain) might have a role, and borrowing for investment as opposed to day to day costs is within the present fiscal rules, providing the overall level of debt is falling by the end of this Parliament. And then there is the battle for public opinion, with politicians and journalists making points like "Putin isn't going to mount a land invasion", and "there are lots of other NATO countries between us and the Russians" - essentially Jarvis's point. We need some simple explainers of how it is Putin's aim to crumble NATO, as the US backs away, the US nuke umbrella fades in credibility, and we really all need to step up.
BTW this is not just FLAWED it’s an obituary for His Majesty’s Armless Services.
The question for me is whether the SDR/DIP provide value for money? Spending £1 billion on 12 F35A aircraft to carry B61 bombs that are under the control of the US appears to be increasing our reliance on the US not reducing it.
Funny it’s called having Allies. One who pays for those Nukes saving Billions. Part of that is ensuring interoperability.
UK has officially become third world and the US has lots of experience protecting nations like Somalia so have that going for it.
What part of the UK do you live in? You do live in the UK, right? Just want to be 100% sure because there’s a tremendous number of ignorant Americans who talk out of their ass and we wouldn’t want to think that about you.
Crieff but that shouldn't matter what does matter is how those on losing sides of arguments always default to name calling and personal attacks.
We might save Billions by getting the US to pay for those Nukes but if we are unable to use them they are not much good to us. I do think you have a point about interoperability however and at least it does give the RAF the opportunity to reskill in that area. I would prefer however to see the UK build on the experience it has gained and develop a sovereign capability.
Reality is that developing a sovereign capability has consistently proven to be a fool's errand that ends in no usable Kit. Both the public discourse and lack of the acknowledge Sovereign capacity & capabilities the F35 program has paid for and supports and will continue to support well till the end of this century.
The UK has and continues to benefit from US led programs like the F35 which the UK is the only Level 1 partner. To say spending £1 Billion on the most advanced and ubiquitous 5Gen Airframe that's the UK has already realized £20 Billion in economic value sustaining over 20,000+ UK jobs is more than prudent and wise use of an underfunded budget. Add to it that the UK is the global maintainer & repair hub for avionic at Sealund. There is untold benefit and cost savings from this deep SOVIEGN infrastructure, capacity, & capability that has primarily been paid for by US and other allies defense spending.
When forecasted out the F35 will contribute over £42.5 Billion to the UK economy. Thank God for the program over the last few decades because without it there would be no sovereign capability.
Given the lack of any political will Defense will continue to be underfunded and taking on the folly of yet another multi decade wish casting belief in 1st being able to develop then afford to purchase & sustain in any usable supportable numbers a 6th Gen aircraft is It's like the man digging the hole the first step is to stop digging. From the Nimrod fiasco, Watchkeeper waste, to saying goodbye to a Sovereign Destroyer, IFV (a wheeled replaced is not an equivalent), APC, SHORAD, capability, the list is long and sad.
I feel more optimistic about Tempest. We’ll see what happens.
GCAP is DOA under the spend plan. As history has shown any UK or EU fighter program runs late and costs 4x more than expected.
Japan is already hedging and opened a backdoor to join the US F47. Which unlike GCAP has flown and is in Manufacturing with two CCA’s selected with contracts awarded & funded.
The US has 3 flying 6th gen manned airframes and another 2 unmanned that we know about. With a 4th Naval/USMC airframes pending selection.
Meanwhile, the UK who has had a faster growing economy than Germany since Brexit has chosen funding illegal migrants over His Majesty’s Defense.