Defence Spending

[RobinM]

BBC right on the ball with their 6 O'Clock news bulletin this evening.

The bit about increase in Defence Spending had a backdrop on a couple of Tornados. Somehow I don't see these coming back!

[Vulcanone]

BBC right on the ball with their 6 O'Clock news bulletin this evening.

The bit about increase in Defence Spending had a backdrop on a couple of Tornados. Somehow I don't see these coming back!

Well apart from Jonathan Beale I doubt anybody else in the BBC would have a clue

[CHINOOKER]

Seen several reports on various news channels this morning, that some of the new money earmarked for increased defence spending, may now form part of the £10bn so that we have promised Mauritius for the Chagos islands! Defence minister, when interviewed, was somewhat “evasive” when asked the question!!

[raptor9]

I don't suppose the public know the difference between a Tornado and a Typhoon.... and why would they?.

[markranger]

Listening to the news this morning, They were saying that Trump is most likely to say that a 0.2% increase is not enough and the uk an Europe needs to moor more and quicker.

[Deramore]

Since I posted the headline things have become dire.

What on earth happens if the US pulls out of NATO ?

No point in having fighters in SP or LN although strategically they may keep transport/ tanker vases open for Middle East interests.

[cat1]

Get the typhoon order over the line asap.

Go ahead and order a few more Merlin's, make one carrier a heli carrier specifically

Open culdrose as a fast jet base, so we have one at the top, middle and bottom of the country.

Declare a national security emergency to unlock significant funds (and they are huge) to pay for all of the above

Declare a national security emergency on the basis of

[Tally-ho]

Declare a national security emergency to unlock significant funds (and they are huge) to pay for all of the above

Seeing as the UK International Aid budget has been almost halved, how about closing that Aid department in its entirety, and use all of that budget to build UK defence into something fit for purpose. Charity begins at home me thinks!

[iainpeden]

Declare a national security emergency to unlock significant funds (and they are huge) to pay for all of the above

Seeing as the UK International Aid budget has been almost halved, how about closing that Aid department in its entirety, and use all of that budget to build UK defence into something fit for purpose. Charity begins at home me thinks!

The UK, unlike the current administration across the pond, tries to keep it's promises.
However, I certainly agree that there are many examples in the aid budget which are not productive, either in terms of actual positive effects on the ground or in the development of soft power.

One aspect of defence spending I would like to see is the Air Tanker group being told to get the a/c fitted with booms asap and if they quibble being told it's a national emergency so get it done or the a/c will be requisitioned without compensation. The lawyers can argue it later.

[Tally-ho]

The UK, unlike the current administration across the pond, tries to keep it's promises.
However, I certainly agree that there are many examples in the aid budget which are not productive, either in terms of actual positive effects on the ground or in the development of soft power.

Thank you for agreeing on UK Foreign Aid.
Which promises has the "current administration across the pond" not kept?

[Pat Murphy]

The UK, unlike the current administration across the pond, tries to keep it's promises.
However, I certainly agree that there are many examples in the aid budget which are not productive, either in terms of actual positive effects on the ground or in the development of soft power.

Thank you for agreeing on UK Foreign Aid.
Which promises has the "current administration across the pond" not kept?

Agree with the above but if you want to know why I believe America is not keeping it's word, then you can start with this one https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Memorandum In particular the second paragraph about not using or threatening to use military power.
Then this one https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minsk_agreements
Plain facts are it's been Russia, It's always been Russia, who have acted as aggressor in this part of the world. It's been obvious since 2014 when they were allowed to get away with the annexation of Crimea. Since then they have bided their time until 2022. America has to realise that their backstop status has kept the peace in the main for the last 80 years. If they choose to walk away from that position in the full knowledge of the likely consequences, then it's a dark time ahead of us.

I grew up in the cold war, a time of threat and fear that war with the Soviet Union might break out at any time, the possibility of Nuclear war was talked about regularly. That fear largely evaporated from 1989 to '92 as the wall came down and The Soviet era passed. The peace dividend that followed was too large, we forgot that the country needed to be prepared for anything. In the mid 80's we spent 5.51% of GDP on defence. UKGov increasing it to 2.5% really isn't going to cut the mustard on this. We need to up this NOW, not in 5 years, or "the next parliament".

What would I do?

Keep the Navy as it is, maybe a frigate or destroyer or two extra for Cruise Missiles.
Cancel any further orders for F35's. Too expensive, too few to makea difference.
Order 4 Squadrons more of Tranche4 Typhoon and accelerate the Tempest program
Launch a scheme of works to Repair/replace Armed Forces accommodation, give those that serve somewhere decent to live.
Increase the number of Fast Jet bases, a form of disoersal of assets if you like.

We're going to need people to do this, so maybe a form of National Service might be required rather than conscription. Tax breaks for those that stay on.

[twocee]

Crimea has always been Russian since it was won from the Ottoman Turks. Ukraine never had any legitimate title to it.

With its CIA coup in Kiev, the US was responsible for starting this war and so it should also be responsible for stopping it. Let us hope that President Trump is successful in this and that he can overcome the resistance of the warmongering Western European leaders who try to use the war as a distraction from the serious domestic problems most of them, including Starmer, face.

Will increased defence spending allow this country to secure its borders? I doubt it, and, anyway, we can no longer afford it.

(I too grew up during the Cold War, but that ended in 1989 and it doesn't need to be revived)

[Tally-ho]

We're going to need people to do this, so maybe a form of National Service might be required rather than conscription.

And that is currently all that matters.

The already struggling UK Armed Forces, as regards manpower, is the elephant in the room. Ships, planes, armoured vehicles, all count for nothing when manpower is insufficient. The near zero interest from those of military age to join the UK Armed Forces, is shocking. The consequences will be theirs . . and they can get on with it . .

[binbrook87]

Maybe we could call upon some of the immigrants to do a national service term in return for UK residency? Just a thought...

[Hurn]

The near zero interest from those of military age to join the UK Armed Forces, is shocking. The consequences will be theirs . . and they can get on with it . .

Well that's all down to the politicians and their foreign policies. I mean who wants to be sent by their Government to fight in BS wars thousands of miles away?

Maybe we could call upon some of the immigrants to do a national service term in return for UK residency? Just a thought...

Well apparently all these military age fighting men are fleeing war torn countries, so they aren't going to be keen on being put in the Army.

[binbrook87]

Some immigrants/ refugees are fleeing war zones but I'm sure quite a lot aren't. So why not dangle the carrot and see what happens? There's nothing to lose if we're short of manpower/womanpower. We're going to need to think outside the box to fill the gaps in soldiers, sailors and airmen/women. Also what about some criminals (not murderers obviously)

[Hurn]

Some immigrants/ refugees are fleeing war zones but I'm sure quite a lot aren't.

So why are they here then?

So why not dangle the carrot and see what happens? There's nothing to lose if we're short of manpower/womanpower. We're going to need to think outside the box to fill the gaps in soldiers, sailors and airmen/women.

Yes, they can go and be peacekeepeers in Ukraine, and our regular forces can stay and protect the UK. Sounds perfect.

[EGDR]

Open culdrose as a fast jet base, so we have one at the top, middle and bottom of the country.

Look, as much as I'd love it, you can't just simply decide one day that a base is to be a frontline fast jet base when it's been a helicopter-focused base for decades. Culdrose is not equipped for the permanent/long-term basing of fast jets. There isn't the space, nor the facilities. There was one airfield in the far southwest that was, but you'd have to ask Cornwall Council for it back.

[Nick.M]

Open culdrose as a fast jet base, so we have one at the top, middle and bottom of the country.

Look, as much as I'd love it, you can't just simply decide one day that a base is to be a frontline fast jet base when it's been a helicopter-focused base for decades. Culdrose is not equipped for the permanent/long-term basing of fast jets. There isn't the space, nor the facilities. There was one airfield in the far southwest that was, but you'd have to ask Cornwall Council for it back.

Cornwall Council objected to St Mawgan being in the running for any future F35 basing fearing the noise would upset Cornish tourism - that’s what they think of any military expansion in the Southwest!

[Pat Murphy]

Crimea has always been Russian since it was won from the Ottoman Turks. Ukraine never had any legitimate title to it.

With its CIA coup in Kiev, the US was responsible for starting this war and so it should also be responsible for stopping it. Let us hope that President Trump is successful in this and that he can overcome the resistance of the warmongering Western European leaders who try to use the war as a distraction from the serious domestic problems most of them, including Starmer, face.

Will increased defence spending allow this country to secure its borders? I doubt it, and, anyway, we can no longer afford it.

(I too grew up during the Cold War, but that ended in 1989 and it doesn't need to be revived)

Doesn't need to be revived? Putin revived that, not us.
Crimea was a recognised border and so not a Russian enclave.
You think war is being used as a "distraction"? Seriously? Wow!
If you don't believe in deterring an aggressor i.e Russia, then we should scrap defending our country altogether and welcome our Russian Overlords.....
Utter madness.
4 posts in 11 years......do you live in Moscow?