You know I do - as I said previously, that has been the RAF's clear stated vision for some time - Typhoon and JSF. You don't need to rely on reports for that - Torpy et al said it on numerous occasions and Dalton has said it too.It seems clear (no matter what reports one chooses to believe or not) that the RAF have pinned their future firmly on Typhoon and F-35 (think you agree with me there Gareth?)
Q. BRITAIN WANTS 150 F-35S. SOME SAY IT COULD BE BOUGHT IN TWO BLOCKS TO CUT COST. YOUR VIEW?
That may dictate we want a slight variation. We might want more or less, and changes to time scales, but there is nothing I have seen yet that says we are not signed up to the concept of this airplane delivering its capability with the numbers we originally projected. The number is actually part of my drive to get two fleets of fast airplanes for the future - Typhoon and JSF. They have complementary capabilities. JSF represents a capability that we absolutely need, no matter what operation we're talking about.
From an interview here:
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4498481" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The carriers and A400 are also discussed and he also says of Nimrod MR2:
.............the longer-term cuts are about the longer-term balance of the service. For example, we are bringing the new MRA4 Nimrods into RAF Kinloss, but not introducing them into service until 2012. That will enable us to build up the force over the next two years, so it becomes a proper operational capability in that time. The fact is we are taking the MR2 out of service next month to free up resources and crews as well as save money on support.
Q. DOESN'T THAT LEAVE YOU WITH A GAP WHEN RUSSIAN SUBS ARE MORE ACTIVE?
A. Yes, about three years, and you're absolutely right. We have had to take a judgment that the risk is acceptable with a combination of other assets that are available: frigates, NATO allies, and there are lots of P-3s around Europe at the moment. We have taken the judgment that the risk is acceptable in the short term so that, in the medium term, we get the capability we need.
If anyone here hasn't read it - Dalton's speech to the IISS was also very interesting:
http://www.iiss.org/recent-key-addresse ... en-dalton/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;