Official - Harriers sold to USMC

[Jimbuna]

Well, it has just been confirmed in Parliament - the RAF Harriers have been sold to the USMC for £116Million, for use as a spare parts source.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15876745

[BossMark]

You've got really love those tory gits haven't you

[kraznyi_oktjabr]

Wonderful. When are next elections and what are latest poll results?

[Torplexed]

I think Harriers were good UK assets and shouldn't be disbanded. They would have been very useful in Libya and also much cheaper to use for CAS than Typhoons. Cutting costs always comes at a price. I hope a few are being kept in Britain for museum display at least.

On the other hand, the March 2012 issue of Air Forces Monthly has officially confirmed that the USMC has been so pleasantly surprised at the excellent condition of the ex-RAF Harriers that two squadrons worth will enter active service due to delays with the F-35.

Two squadrons of Harriers for the cost of roughly two Typhoons or a single F-35! For once our government appropriators find a bargain!

[the_tyrant]

You know, I'm looking at this from a different angle
I think the british are making a very smart move

If you can't afford it, its time to cut it.
When the economy gets back on its feet, the royal navy can be rebuilt

[kraznyi_oktjabr]

Originally Posted by the_tyrant

You know, I'm looking at this from a different angle
I think the british are making a very smart move

If you can't afford it, its time to cut it.
When the economy gets back on its feet, the royal navy can be rebuilt

I would have rather kept those old retired Harriers in storage until Americans can say when F-35 will come into service and how much it will actually cost. Some insurance for rainy day.

[Kazuaki Shimazaki II]

Originally Posted by the_tyrant

You know, I'm looking at this from a different angle
I think the british are making a very smart move

If you can't afford it, its time to cut it.
When the economy gets back on its feet, the royal navy can be rebuilt

That depends on the reason you can't afford it. If it is because you are spending too much on welfare or social insurance (i.e. enforced charity), there's a problem.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Torplexed

I think Harriers were good UK assets and shouldn't be disbanded. They would have been very useful in Libya and also much cheaper to use for CAS than Typhoons. Cutting costs always comes at a price. I hope a few are being kept in Britain for museum display at least.

On the other hand, the March 2012 issue of Air Forces Monthly has officially confirmed that the USMC has been so pleasantly surprised at the excellent condition of the ex-RAF Harriers that two squadrons worth will enter active service due to delays with the F-35.

Two squadrons of Harriers for the cost of roughly two Typhoons or a single F-35! For once our government appropriators find a bargain!

I think we're hoping you'll put them aboard a CVN and moor her off Port Stanley

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

I think we're hoping you'll put them aboard a CVN and moor her off Port Stanley

If Argentine President Cristina Kirchner is fretting out over simply sending a royal heir down to the Falklands, I can only imagine the ensuing histrionics (herstrionics?) if we did that.