Posted on 08/31/2008 1:13:39 AM PDT by bruinbirdman
The government is planning further big cuts to the Royal Navy after deciding that terrorism is the only serious threat to Britain. Annual accounts from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) show that it is to cut funding for new ships and equipment by more than 20%, from about £1.8 billion a year to a maximum of £1.4 billion.
The cuts come as the MoD tries to fill a £2 billion shortfall in its budget over the next three years. Overspending has left funding even for this year uncertain. They will force the navy to shrink its commitments around the globe, further limiting Britain’s ability to play a role in world events at a time when the perceived threat from both Russia and China is increasing.
The Royal Navy has not sent any ships to join a Nato force in the Black Sea since the Georgia crisis began, in contrast to poorer countries such as Poland and Spain.
Gerald Howarth, the shadow defence spokesman, said the situation in the Caucasus and the navy’s inability to send any ships to the Black Sea “exposes the complete folly of the government's approach to the navy”. He added: “The procurement budget is shot to pieces and there is simply no money in it to buy the ships that the navy needs.”
The navy has secured its most important project – two giant aircraft carriers to replace three smaller ones. But the destroyer fleet will be cut from nine to six – half the number deemed necessary by the 1998 Strategic Defence Review.
Attack submarines will be reduced from 11 to seven and many of Britain’s 17 frigates will go. When Labour came to power the fleet had 35 destroyers and frigates. The defence review said it needed 32. There are now only 26 –
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
All in the name of “multi-culti”. Instead of properly funding its military forces, it would rather give it all to 3rd world islamic immigrants whose only goal is a sharia law takeover of the UK. I’m sure that will all work out real well. Rise Britiania.
The GDP of Russia is less then that of the UK. $2.088 trillion (2007 est.vs $2.137 trillion (2007 est.
Even with a diversified economy the UK can’t afford a proper first world military. It’s something to recall when Putin rattles his sabers at the west.
As for the UK cutbacks, they were expected. It’s a decline with no brakes. The only real question is will they ultimately just cancel the carrier contracts, or complete them as jobs programs and then find overseas buyers. A navy that can’t afford frigates can’t afford full-sized flattops.
The Argies are lovin’ it.
Each cut makes it harder and harder to retake the Falklands if the Argies decide to jump again.
Oh, come on. Those immigrants need relief payments so they can attend Mosque every day for indoctrination. When you have to pray 5X a day, it kinda crowds out everything else.
The time will come shortly when Britain decides it doesn’t need a Navy. Then the AF will go, and finally the Army (except for show units to march in parades). We are on the same path. Eventually, entitlements will gobble up all Government spending, both in the EU and the US.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2071976/posts?page=2
I think you’re assuming that we Brits don’t know they want it back. If you only knew how much we have upgraded our facilities in the Falklands and South Georgia. Military airbase with transport and Tornado fighters. And HMS Clyde is always on station in the Falklands, with crews rotating in and out.
If the Argies had a go today; we have 2 carriers and 1 helo carrier. 2 amphibious assault ships, and the new Type 45’s coming into service too. I’m not concerned.
The Falklands shelf could have significant reserves of oil and gas, and so we are taking more care about the place and bulking up our capacity to ensure that when we claim the shelf, it stay ours.
I assumed that you did know they want it back.
But knowing, preventing and retaking are three different issues.
The problems for both sides in the first go round are known and have been studied by both sides, even by some outsiders.
Your’s has hardened the Islands and keep a ship on station. Their’s has ditched all the leftover WW II ships and have been upgrading to modern warships. I want to say they are in the neighborhood of 10 Destroyers and Corvettes with 3 older model frigates.
Two or three years from now the UK will find it a lot harder to pull off what they did in the 80s. And if Georgia is any indicator you ain’t gonna get any help from the EU.
Just my opinion of course.
The Argies may well have upgraded their fleet, but its to the same level that we were at in the early 90’s. Our new ships are the next generation, so we are a step ahead of them. Plus, we have carriers, they don’t. We have nuclear submarines, crewed by the best in the world. They don’t. Our Type 45’s would make it impossible for the Argentinian airforce to attack an expeditionary fleet.
Anyway, if we get attacked we invoke the mutual defence clause with NATO and get some nice big US support. You’ll be obliged to.
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