Originally Posted by
OvertHawk
We certainly do need new advanced trainers. And money to buy them. And people to fix them. And people to fly them.
Maintaining a squadron of vintage jets for only five more years to make us feel good about the RAF will not help us actually improve the RAF in the face of the threats we and the world face. The Red's are no longer a pinnacle. They are an extravagant distraction and vanity project.
Do not misunderstand me - I'm heartsick that we're in the position that we're now in where i have to say this. But we are where we are.
And to say that if we bin the reds then we might as well finish the RAF!?!? What is the actual purpose of the RAF - to defend and protect the skies of this country and to further our interests overseas - or to make the public feel good?
Are you really suggesting that the only way to justify the existence of the RAF is 9 40 year old training aircraft making pretty pictures in the sky?
No I am not. But it serves a valid purpose of
PR. The public pays for the RAF..