XabbaRus |
01-24-10 09:57 AM |
Ah now while I agree that for COIN work props are a much better asset to have than fast jets. Just look at the OV-10 Bronco, IMHO one of the most suited planes to COIN if you want to build a new one, but this has come at the request of the army.
Now he would like to see the RAF reduced to an airline and the navy reduced to coastal protection. He seems to forget how without the navy his army would effectively be able to get anywhere and also that there are more than a few occasions you want a fast jet.
Typhoon has pretty much been paid for. To cut back now would be stupid. They say we always equip ourselves to fight the last war not the current or future war, however I feel in the future we will see a return to state vs state wars as resources dwindle so we could end up with a scenario where we need tosend out a good strike force and have nothing but a few rowing boats and prop planes and an army stuck in blighty.
Also £67 million for a Typhoon but £60 million for an F-35? I think that is just a bit wrong. The JSF is way over price now. Personally if they need to save money scrap the JSF, buy Rafale or Super Hornet and have two seat Typhoons for your Tornado replacement.
As a SDR is coming up each force is trying to set out its stall. I personally fear that the Army will win over at the expense however of the Navy. The RAF this time round can take it. It is easier to reactivate mothballed Typhoons stored in a hangar than it is to restart a ship that has been tied up at dock for 6 months.
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