Artist's impression of the future aircraft Carriers for the Royal Navy, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales
Posted on 10/18/2010 3:05:53 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
The Government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review will also confirm that Britain will not have an effective “carrier strike” capability – a working aircraft carrier equipped with fighter jets – until 2020.
David Cameron had wanted to scrap one of the two carriers, the largest and most expensive vessels in British naval history, but the review found that contracts signed by the previous government meant that doing so would end up costing the taxpayer more than going ahead with both. As a result, the two carriers will enter service, but one will be mothballed as soon as possible.
Artist's impression of the future aircraft Carriers for the Royal Navy, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales
Presenting the review to MPs, the Prime Minister will blame many of its outcomes on Labour, accusing its ministers of leaving a £38 billion black hole in the defence budget and signing contracts for over-priced and unnecessary military equipment. He will also announce:
• The replacement for the Trident nuclear deterrent will be delayed by a year until after the general election scheduled for 2015. He will insist he remains committed to renewing Trident but will say the delay is needed to save £750 million.
• The Army will lose 7,000 soldiers, more than 100 tanks and 200 armoured vehicles. One armoured brigade will be lost and the end of Britain’s 65-year presence in Germany will be signalled.
• The RAF will keep most of its Tornado fighter-bombers but lose at least 5,000 personnel. Two RAF bases will close and be occupied by soldiers returning from Germany.
• The Navy’s fleet of warships will drop from 24 to 19 and it will lose 4,000 personnel. Harrier jump-jets will be scrapped next year but no F35 Joint
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Just damn.
Sell one or both carriers to India or Japan for cost to build.
Those illegal immigrants and government pensions are expensive
What the Hell happened to the Royal Navy??
Britain who once ruled the sea .
The primary responsibility of any government should be defense. Social programs have robbed most countries of the treasure necessary to fund national defense. They will each regret it eventually.
Meanwhile, a group of Sea Scouts are planning a takeover of the Falkland Islands. There will be no organized resistance from the Royal Navy.
Wow.
What a waste of time and money so far...I bet someone buys these ships off them...
The whole two island scheme kinda throws me off a bit...Not used to that...
Just imagine the kind of CBG you could put together around one of these CV’s with what is left of the British Navy...
I would have been impressed more by that than what they are going to do with them after they finish one of them...What a shame...
Put a tax on Muslims in GB to pay for the second carrier.
PM: Good man, Counter.
MRS: *I think so*
PM: (Raises eyebrow)
Oops, Courter.
Britannia used to rule the waves. That was before the lefties took over. I guess British subjects learned nothing from being led by Neville Chamberlain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgd9nYqVz2s
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.