Defence Review
Discussion
As per the pre-election promise there will be a 'far reaching' Defence Review taking place in the near future.
Will spending take a hit and if so what will be sacrificed?
From an RAF perspective I can't imagine that any major equipment programmes will be turned off but I can see the Regt. being disbanded, the Red Arrows are also another obvious candidate.
With the potential reinstatement of AFPS75 the money will have to come from somewhere.
Will spending take a hit and if so what will be sacrificed?
From an RAF perspective I can't imagine that any major equipment programmes will be turned off but I can see the Regt. being disbanded, the Red Arrows are also another obvious candidate.
With the potential reinstatement of AFPS75 the money will have to come from somewhere.
I think the outcome will be massively dependent on who succeeds Gen Carter as CDS and which of the services they come from.
Regardless of who it is, I cant see any of the big ticket projects being canned (carriers//F35/CR2 LEP/Ajax)
The last SDSR got it quite significantly wrong in terms of personnel numbers and led to people receiving significant redundancy packages only to be offered their job back 12-18 months later, keeping the payout and getting a golden handshake to come back.
Despite having a much lower operational profile in Iraq and Afghanistan than in recent years, we still seem to be pretty much flat out committed due to the manning issues. I'm not sure theres much more fat to trim off the edges now. Obviously just IMHO
Regardless of who it is, I cant see any of the big ticket projects being canned (carriers//F35/CR2 LEP/Ajax)
The last SDSR got it quite significantly wrong in terms of personnel numbers and led to people receiving significant redundancy packages only to be offered their job back 12-18 months later, keeping the payout and getting a golden handshake to come back.
Despite having a much lower operational profile in Iraq and Afghanistan than in recent years, we still seem to be pretty much flat out committed due to the manning issues. I'm not sure theres much more fat to trim off the edges now. Obviously just IMHO
k me it's good to see some folks in the know for once commenting on the news. Let's wait and see what's to come and go, I'll put the kettle on.I know nothing of the Air Force
I can’t see the red arrows being disbanded the optics would be too bad.
Recently spent a few weeks on a US air base. Their fighters were taking off throughout the day, I don’t mean 1 every few hours I mean like every 20 minutes. Sounded like several at a time too.
I’ve also be at UK air bases and seen very few take off. I’m not sure we can strip much more money away. Totally anecdotal and not sure the operational status of the UK bases so pretty much meaningless but it does appear our Air Force budget is a drop in the ocean.
I can’t see the red arrows being disbanded the optics would be too bad.
Recently spent a few weeks on a US air base. Their fighters were taking off throughout the day, I don’t mean 1 every few hours I mean like every 20 minutes. Sounded like several at a time too.
I’ve also be at UK air bases and seen very few take off. I’m not sure we can strip much more money away. Totally anecdotal and not sure the operational status of the UK bases so pretty much meaningless but it does appear our Air Force budget is a drop in the ocean.
borcy said:
There's supposed to be a massive cull of middle and senior officers, I'll believe it when I see it.
I'd like to see that happen in the NHS. But I doubt there is a snowballs chance in hell of the Red Arrows being canned. World famous display team that shows off the best of the RAF..
I would expect to see a further sell-off of the defence estate with airfield sites being sold off and many transit accomodation sites with no major units based there.
Army, AJAX will run its course, MRVP part 1 continue, part 2 cancelled, WCSP cancelled, MIV increased, Strike 155 to next phase.
Navy, 2 littoral strike ships purchased, with one on humanitarian duties, further purchases of cheap ships with few weapons, further commitment to deterrent.
RAF have got all their shiny toys, what more could they want?
Army, AJAX will run its course, MRVP part 1 continue, part 2 cancelled, WCSP cancelled, MIV increased, Strike 155 to next phase.
Navy, 2 littoral strike ships purchased, with one on humanitarian duties, further purchases of cheap ships with few weapons, further commitment to deterrent.
RAF have got all their shiny toys, what more could they want?
Evanivitch said:
civicduty said:
I would be quite happy if the A400M was simply given back to Airbus.
Won't happen. Too many equipments have been procured on the basis that A400M will get them there, eventually.I volunteer as an instructor with the Army Cadet Force, I can see the funding for them being culled pretty severely. The fact that it helps keep kids off the streets and gives them a sense of purpose is not something that will be measured on a balance sheet.
Also the household division? Five Regiments of foot guards, why not one or two? Or is that too much of a sacred cow?
SD.
Also the household division? Five Regiments of foot guards, why not one or two? Or is that too much of a sacred cow?
SD.
shed driver said:
Also the household division? Five Regiments of foot guards, why not one or two? Or is that too much of a sacred cow?
SD.
If ceremonial duties was all they did then yes they'd be a prime target for cuts, however as they still do the normal infantry job, cuts in that area are the last thing we need SD.
Pesty said:
I know nothing of the Air Force
I can’t see the red arrows being disbanded the optics would be too bad.
Recently spent a few weeks on a US air base. Their fighters were taking off throughout the day, I don’t mean 1 every few hours I mean like every 20 minutes. Sounded like several at a time too.
I’ve also be at UK air bases and seen very few take off. I’m not sure we can strip much more money away. Totally anecdotal and not sure the operational status of the UK bases so pretty much meaningless but it does appear our Air Force budget is a drop in the ocean.
US fighter wings typically have far more aircraft and a hell of a lot more people to maintain them than a typical RAF Sqn or fighter base. It’s not easy keeping older aircraft (that we had until recently) serviceable enough to fly with limited airframes, small personnel numbers and quite often a lack of spares and logistical support. Newer aircraft are difficult to operate in other ways. I can’t see the red arrows being disbanded the optics would be too bad.
Recently spent a few weeks on a US air base. Their fighters were taking off throughout the day, I don’t mean 1 every few hours I mean like every 20 minutes. Sounded like several at a time too.
I’ve also be at UK air bases and seen very few take off. I’m not sure we can strip much more money away. Totally anecdotal and not sure the operational status of the UK bases so pretty much meaningless but it does appear our Air Force budget is a drop in the ocean.
The US will also have a hell of a lot more crews to keep current, so the amount of flying hours required to do that will naturally be far greater.
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