UK industry officials raise eyebrows over Royal Air Force F-35, E-7 and A400M programs

[Agent K]

If you have a labour Gov’t, They would more than likely cancel the rest of the order Catch 22.

Would they? Labours recent defence strategy was no worse and I'd suggest better than the Tories. After all, it was the labour government that ordered the aircraft carriers for example. The Tories scrapped the Harrier, Nimrod, Hercules about to be, reduced flying training fleets, have closed down numerous bases, reduced main battle tank fleets, shrunk the armed forces significantly, just a few that spring to mind.

That said, I'm not convinced by either of the main parties defence strategy.......... always seems to be a target for saving and budget reduction under s mythical SDR that alleges new equipment and technology will be funder as a result, but never is.

[Sparts99]

Well that got me thinking, I always thought that Labour governements cut defence spending as a rule. Bit of googling shows that in actual cash terms the peak since 1997 when Labour last came to power was 2007 under Gordon Brown, peak in terms of % of GDP was 2009 again under Gordon Brown. 2010 we got the Cameron-Clegg alliance and things go consistently downhill from there. 2017 sees the lowest cash and % of GDP and then the trend reversing but we still aren't near the 2007/2009 figures.
https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/G ... nse-budget

[jonnewell]

Only have to look to the Falkland Islands war to see what happens when your enemy perceives that you have not invested enough in your military.
The Argentinian thought that we wouldn't be strong enough to retake the Islands.
Christ knows what would happen if they tried again.
It's something when all the UK Armed forces could fit into Wembley and Twickenham stadiums with plenty of places empty.

[Vulcanone]

Actually, I think you will find the Argentinian Armed Forces are worse off.... Last time I looked the French donated several Super Etendards. And I think the A-4AR Fighting Hawk fleet is in a parlous state.

Not likely a big threat.

[tm74sqn]

Famous last words . . . . !