The UKNDA has just released a (somewhat emotive) statement re the threat to JFH:-
UKNDA - NEWS RELEASE/ STATEMENT
Sunday 7 December 2008: Release time immediate
Note the date (i.e. the 'infamous' 7th December') of today's Sunday Times' article by Michael Smith. On 7th Dec 1941 - Pearl Harbor - and the US Carriers were only saved because they were out of the Harbour at the time. What a coincidence. This time, if the RAF scrap all 75 of the Nation's Harrier Force, nothing will save the Navy's airpower. This too is a day that will "Live in infamy".
In response to the report in today's Sunday Times (Michael Smith) that, to save money and reduce the size of the two billion pound 'black hole' in the MOD's budget the RAF have offered to scrap the nation's Harrier Force - UKNDA's CEO - Cdr John Muxworthy commented:
The UKNDA has always disavowed inter-service rivalry and in-fighting as being
counter productive. Here is a supreme example that such squabbles are positively destructive of the nation's defences. Latest reports are that the RAF, in a desperate attempt to save money (and, they may hope, some of their threatened second or third tranche of Typhoons) are offering to scrap (!) all 75 of the Nation's Harrier Force - many of which 'belong' to the Royal Navy. All this because of the two billion pound 'black hole' in Defence Funding. The result of any such 'saving' will be that the fixed wing element of the Fleet Air Arm will atrophy and carrier based fixed wing expertise will be lost, perhaps never to be regained. So what price the (again delayed) new
carriers now; methinks there is a 'cunning plot' afoot and they could be the next 'savings measure'.
It is disingenuous to claim that the Royal Navy (or the RAF for that matter) can do without their Harriers because the Joint Strike Fighter is coming along in due time. The JSF is at least eight if not ten or more years hence. What do our two remaining (albeit small) aircraft carriers - HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS ILLUSTRIOUS do in the meantime - throw snowballs at the Argentinians when they next have a go at 'reclaiming' Las Malvinas?
The last time that a First Sea Lord threatened and then actually did resign was almost forty years ago when Denis Healey scuppered the Royal Navy's plans to build more arge carriers. That was a wasted gesture then because the furore was over and forgotten in a week. This time (if the rumour be true) the present Head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, the First Sea Lord, threatens to reign over the issue. He should not be alone in threatening to resign - but so should the Chief of the Defence Staff, Chief of the General Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff as well - in a public display of true Tri-Service solidarity.... a word that a Labour Government should well recognise. If the Harriers go then Britannia will never again rule the waves and Britons, if they do not look to their Armed Forces (and the Royal Navy in
particular) will soon be slaves.
ENDS.
Will anyone actually take any notice?