38 pages and 560 odd replies of hot air. Some very valid points I'm sure. However, as I said on about page 15 (and I am a fan of the Sea Harrier) - ACCEPT IT BOYS - IT IS GOING - nothing that can be said on here will reverse that.
In the meantime the senior naval neddy has signed away about 20% of his frigates and destroyers NOW in return for a promise from that nice Mr Brown that he will actually get his new carriers (which will only take a little over 10 years to build and haven't been started yet!!). Smart move? Time will tell - but I think not.
As for the fact that the fleet lacks organic air defence now, yes it does. Is that a good thing, probably not. But that is life as we know it today boys. Live with it and manage the situation as best you can. Lobby your MP as much as you want, but it will not change, so stop whinging about it. Lack of the right kit always results in loss of life, tragic as that is - e,.g body armour in the gulf, number of NBC suits available in the gulf, AEW cover in the Falklands, maybe zero-zero bangseats in Canberras (not wanting to pre-judge the case - hearts go out to all concerned with that one) - people in the military all know what they haven't got that they need to make their job safer or even survivable. Who knows WEBF, if you had actually got into the navy you might have found some lack of everyday essential items to rabbit on about (sailors refusing to go to sea in unsafe submarines??).
Politicians will always spend the bare minimum on defence. It is the boys and girls who elect to defend their country that have to live with the consequences of that decision. I am lucky, on most days I am still proud to be one of them!