Can't afford Nimrod but...
Discussion
OK, so apparently we'll save a min of £2 billion by cancelling the Nimrod MRA4 Maritime Patrol aircraft.
UK aid to India is US$0.609 billion (http://www.parliament.uk/briefingpapers/commons/lib/research/briefings/snep-05578.pdf)
India is buying 8 P-8s (737 based Maritime Patrol aircraft) at a cost of US$2.1 billion (http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/01/06/320663/indian-navy-completes-deal-for-boeing-p-8is.html).
Pro-rata you could argue that means we have paid for 2.3 of their P-8s!
Can't we give them a couple MRA4s and save our £££?!?! Obviously that's not exactly a serious suggestion...but it does beg the question as to why we are giving aid to countries that can afford MPAs when, apparently, we can't. And we're the island nation...
I understand the arguments that aid money prevents future conflict and I even have some faith in that having been on the ground in most of the recent conflicts and seen what aid money can achieve (when it's well spent).
But all the same...!
UK aid to India is US$0.609 billion (http://www.parliament.uk/briefingpapers/commons/lib/research/briefings/snep-05578.pdf)
India is buying 8 P-8s (737 based Maritime Patrol aircraft) at a cost of US$2.1 billion (http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/01/06/320663/indian-navy-completes-deal-for-boeing-p-8is.html).
Pro-rata you could argue that means we have paid for 2.3 of their P-8s!
Can't we give them a couple MRA4s and save our £££?!?! Obviously that's not exactly a serious suggestion...but it does beg the question as to why we are giving aid to countries that can afford MPAs when, apparently, we can't. And we're the island nation...
I understand the arguments that aid money prevents future conflict and I even have some faith in that having been on the ground in most of the recent conflicts and seen what aid money can achieve (when it's well spent).
But all the same...!
India was expected to spend about US$40 billion on military modernisation from 2008 to 2013
And a third 65,000 ton Aircraft carrier
They are expanding and modernising there whole navy and aircraft, with an expansive submarine fleet.
And the Uk can barely afford planes for it's carrier's
I think we need some Aid,it's a bit pants
And a third 65,000 ton Aircraft carrier
They are expanding and modernising there whole navy and aircraft, with an expansive submarine fleet.
And the Uk can barely afford planes for it's carrier's
I think we need some Aid,it's a bit pants
Edited by Streps on Thursday 28th October 16:31
Elroy Blue said:
India is buying 250 fifth generation fighters, numerous aircraft carriers (and the air groups to go on them, new training aircraft, a space programme and nuclear weapons.
And we give them aid.......you couldn't make it up.
Well, because in New Labour's (ex)fantasy world, we can just get some money from somewhere, then give it to our native lowlifes not to work, then get some more money from somewhere and feed the entire rest of the world and look after all the other countries as well. SchmUK.And we give them aid.......you couldn't make it up.
SplatSpeed said:
a long time ago
there were a lot of indians in africa
they were expelled by the new local despot
and india refused to let them in
so they came to live in the UK
so why is the UK giving money to a country that dosn't even help their own people!
Because the government(s) believe we owe them compensation from the "Empire" days.there were a lot of indians in africa
they were expelled by the new local despot
and india refused to let them in
so they came to live in the UK
so why is the UK giving money to a country that dosn't even help their own people!
It's s
t.NismoGT said:
SplatSpeed said:
a long time ago
there were a lot of indians in africa
they were expelled by the new local despot
and india refused to let them in
so they came to live in the UK
so why is the UK giving money to a country that dosn't even help their own people!
Because the government(s) believe we owe them compensation from the "Empire" days.there were a lot of indians in africa
they were expelled by the new local despot
and india refused to let them in
so they came to live in the UK
so why is the UK giving money to a country that dosn't even help their own people!
It's s
t.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2619049.stm
It is cr@p that we cannot afford the Nimrod and have had to rely on US Navy P3s to track a Russian Sub, and the French for SAR taskings twice in the last couple of weeks.
It is rather embarrassing that we cannot sufficiently cover our SAR commitments.
Part of me thinks these Aid packages are some sort of sweetner for Arms Deals. India have just bought another order of Hawks and are considering the Typhoon.
It is rather embarrassing that we cannot sufficiently cover our SAR commitments.
Part of me thinks these Aid packages are some sort of sweetner for Arms Deals. India have just bought another order of Hawks and are considering the Typhoon.
Semi hemi said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
No, really? You reckon
The more I hear the more I am convinced the cancellation of the Nimrod was purely because Cameron wanted to wield the axe at something high profile.
Dr Fox (Defence bloke, not the DJ) warned him about it and the Chief of Air Staff fought for it but against advice Cameron said no.
I have a feeling that Cameron wanted to cut something that would make him look good. He couldn't touch the carriers so the MRA4 was the only thing he could chop.
It brings it home more when you hear that US Navy P3s have been patrolling waters off Scotland for Russian Subs, and the French had to provide Communications Aircraft to cover the shipping incident 300 miles off the Isles of Scilly last week. It is debateable whether we can even meet our long range SAR commitments.
Don't forget the Nimrod was already fully paid for, it is only £200 million in running costs that they are saving.
Just wait, in 5 years time we will put in an order for £2 Billion for American P8's which are not as capable, and by that time we'll have lost all of our experienced crews.
Dr Fox (Defence bloke, not the DJ) warned him about it and the Chief of Air Staff fought for it but against advice Cameron said no.
I have a feeling that Cameron wanted to cut something that would make him look good. He couldn't touch the carriers so the MRA4 was the only thing he could chop.
It brings it home more when you hear that US Navy P3s have been patrolling waters off Scotland for Russian Subs, and the French had to provide Communications Aircraft to cover the shipping incident 300 miles off the Isles of Scilly last week. It is debateable whether we can even meet our long range SAR commitments.
Don't forget the Nimrod was already fully paid for, it is only £200 million in running costs that they are saving.
Just wait, in 5 years time we will put in an order for £2 Billion for American P8's which are not as capable, and by that time we'll have lost all of our experienced crews.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 30th October 13:38
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