Yes, not a good development. We have been sending the wrong signals to the rest of the world. The gross stupidity of getting rid of our Harrier Fleet and our Nimrods is becoming clear.
In fact it is just beyond belief!
The fact that our 'great' new carriers will have no aircraft of our own is incredibly stupid. Talk of having American and French aircraft on it to bridge gap is just talk. Would for instance our great allies allow us to use their aircraft and crews against Argentinian aggression in the Falklands? Think back. No chance.
Although not publicised the Nimrods were in action during last Falklands war. Had a part in the Black Buck raids by the Vulcans. Talk again of using our allies assets to bridge gap is again nonsense. They simply would not allow us to use them. Unless it suits them of course, which in the case of the Falklands it would not. Again a huge gap in capability.
It is beyond belief that these decisions have just been accepted by the British public. The recent defence reviews have left us very vulnerable to any sort of agression in our waters, in the air and on land.
Balance the defence budget properly. Get rid of the white elephant of Polaris. Spend the money on what we need...not what America wants us to have. And....it is a very big AND...sort out defence procurement. That is what needs sorting not cuts in capability. The money wasted in this is scandalous.
The latest two examples are our new carriers where last minute changes cost millions and now they are doing the same with the Joint Strike Aircraft (Lightning 2) where we are committed to buying something that we don't know the cost, we don't know delivery date and more worryingly we are unsure of its capability!
We can't even make our minds up as to which version we want
You should read the Reports to Congress on the progress of this aircraft. We ditched our Harriers in the hope of this thing. We should have kept them until they arrived, working! You would not procure your family car like this!
In fact ..
Chris