RAF plans huge cuts in planes and bases

[Gary]

Bit of latest news story on the BBC news website

The BBC understands RAF Cottesmore in Rutland faces closure, with the Harriers based there moving to RAF Wittering before being phased out of service altogether earlier than planned.

The Tornado force based at RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Marham in Norfolk will lose one squadron and it is thought parts of RAF Kinloss, in Moray, could be mothballed.

Full story http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8413135.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Sheff]

Well that's the Harrier's fate sealed I guess. One wonders if they will even bother relocating to Wittering or if it will be more a case of running-down Cottesmore first and then disposing of the whole fleet. Brilliant political manoeuvring - announce the first cuts but cover their tracks with an order for more Chinooks which might not even arrive until we've pulled-out of Afghanistan.

Absolute joke isn't it - obsess about Afghanistan and completely fail to address the UK's defence on the assumption that the public are too stupid to notice what's happening. Sad thing is, the public are too stupid to realise what's happening.

[HighlandSniper]

It's quite clear that Brown and his cronies don't give a sh!t about defence, it's all about their personal and political agendas. Brown's false smiles and pathetic semi-literate letters to the next of kin of dead soldiers don't convince anyone except perhaps his politically corrupt followers.

Even if we get a change of government sometime in the next six months or so, I don't see anything changing as the proposed changes can be blamed on Brown and his bunch of bandits. We can but hope that there may be some wiser thinking about advance commitments but I wouldn't put money on it.

[The Phantom]

It's quite clear that Brown and his cronies don't give a sh!t about defence, it's all about their personal and political agendas. Brown's false smiles and pathetic semi-literate letters to the next of kin of dead soldiers don't convince anyone except perhaps his politically corrupt followers.

I don't think he's managed anything semi-literate yet!!

[HighlandSniper]

I've just heard that a four ship of Harriers has just taken off for Copenhagen! Mission: to Paveway the Hopeless, hapless ba****d of a pm! Hmm wishful thinking!

If there's a whip-round for the fuel, I'll put in a tenner

[Jazstrzab]

They have,nt got a b****y clue and yet they still commit us to wars, how can you fight a war when you have,nt the equipment to do so. Juggle it all around to rob Peter to pay Paul, alrite when you want a new fitted kitchen though. Just signed the petition.
Regards Jazstrab,
M.U.F.C.(The Religion)

[RichC]

Cottesmore to Close
1 Sqn of Harriers to go. All others to go to Wittering.
All MR2 Nimrods to go 12 months early and a reduction of MRA4 airframes (again).
Two Squadrons of Tornado and Harriers to go eventually.

Typhoon upgrade to get going ASAP.

[gonk]

But bobajob said alot and told you nothing,we are going to have to wait and find out in the new year.

[mrlongbow]

The new Nimrod airframes will be delayed into service, not cut again. Well not yet...wait until next year!

[Pen Pusher]

Details on MoD Web

Brian

[The Phantom]

For one last time, I urge you all to sign this petition. If for no other reason than to let these idiots know how we feel!

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/STOPDEFENCECUTS/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thank you

Just signed it Hope everyone does - though I fear this Government couldn't care less about anything but theirselves!

[Sheff]

I love the way that this is being portrayed as an investment. Some investment, a handful of helicopters while the rest of the RAF is gradually dismantled. Even Sir Jock is talking nonsense:-

"It is also important to take a step or two back and to look at the wider picture..."

Presumably the wider picture comprises of obsessing about a pointless war in Afghanistan and ignoring everything else until we have nothing else left. Brilliant, just brilliant.

[The Phantom]

I'm like a caged tiger at the moment! Can't believe about the Harriers. And over the last couple of weeks there have been some great photos on this site from Cottesmore (taken by the Figgis and a few others), and now this happens! Completely gutted


MERRY XMAS, MR BROWN.... you

[LIBERTY-48]

What gets me is we can afford £1.5 Billion or so in foriegn aid, but not for our forces.

Also correct me if im wrong does this mean we will have no Nimrod in service for 2 years

Feel like mailing the at no 10 myself, how about a mass mailing ??????

[garyscott]

What gets me is we can afford £1.5 million or so in foriegn aid, but not for our forces.

Also correct me if im wrong does this mean we will have no Nimrod in service for 2 years

Feel like mailing the at no 10 myself, how about a mass mailing ??????

IM up for a mass mailing!!!! darn swamp 'em!!!

[HighlandSniper]

What gets me is we can afford £1.5 million or so in foriegn aid, but not for our forces.

Also correct me if im wrong does this mean we will have no Nimrod in service for 2 years

Feel like mailing the at no 10 myself, how about a mass mailing ??????

I could have sworn it was £1.5 billion.

The Nimrod situation is in my opinion the maddest of all - Angus Robertson MP (SNP Member for Moray) was doing his nut on STV earlier. What is the sense of retiring the Nimrod MR2 a year or two prior to the ISD of the MRA4 (delayed) when initial MRA airframes are ready (or supposedly so) no. What will happen if a major SAR situation arises - who would co-ordinate a situation such as the Piper-Alpha or Herald of Free Enterprise disasters, or a major offshore shipping incident.

Today's events have served to show what a pair of incompetent, inarticulate and illiterate arseholes Messrs Brown & Ainsworth are. The level of lying, deceit and lack of forward thought is incredible.

Why has Figgis's petition still got less than 600 signatures, clearly not even every FC member has signed it - shame on those of you who haven't!

[MacksAviation]

In addition, the Nimrod MR2 will be taken out of service in March 2010, 12 months earlier than planned, and the introduction of the Nimrod MRA4 will be delayed until 2012.

One survey ship and one minehunter will be withdrawn from service early. The Navy's older Lynx and Merlin Mk1 helicopters will be retired sooner than planned prior to the transition to the more capable Wildcat and Merlin Mk2 as part of the new helicopter strategy.

Out of all the doom and gloom the above from the MOD website makes me shudder reducing the Forces capabilities before the replacements are in service.

There has been huge public outcry about sending troops into war without proper equipment can you imagine what will be said (god forbid if any of these happen in the future) if there is another Fasenet race tragedy or something similar that the Nimrods would currently be involved in OR maybe a RN ship hitting a mine in the Gulf region and not enough Merlins or Lynx in the area that could evacuate casualties and the mine wasn't detected because the numbers of Minesweepers in the area had been reduced.

Not even started thinking about the defence of this country that's something else !!!!

[RichC]

Looks like we will be relying on the USAF to conduct our civilian/military rescues from now on with the Pavehawks and MC130s.
With the Government cutting hours of the SAR force and cutting the top cover/comms aid of the Nimrod then that's us broken for long range rescues as HS has said.
As an Island nation with no maritime patrol capability i think it is rather absurd!

Seen this before.... This Government took out the SHAR, some of which were only built in 1995 way too early... never had a replacement ready and that replacement has now only just entered service but guess what. The MoD can't afford to arm the Type 45 so it is useless for air defence until we get some missiles for it.

Don't forget also he also said that the MRA4 will be cut yet again in numbers...so what down to now?

Remember also that he said it will be £1.5bn in cuts.... now what was the figure Brown stated he would be giving away to Africa? £1.5bn. So in all, he has cut our defence down to shreds but hasn't saved a penny because he is giving it all away....!!!

[HighlandSniper]

I'm sure it's given earlier in this thread.

[MacksAviation]

This one !!!
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/STOPDEFENCECUTS/sign