Cutting Harrier Early
Running aircraft from carriers isn't just about the pilots. Once a body of knowledge and a cadre of people have been degraded it is very expensive and very time consuming to build it up again. Deck handling, arming at a high sea state, air controlling the aircraft.. the list is long. Those 1300 crews from Lusty and Ark aren't going to sit in limbo in for 10 years. Hutton said at the Def Com that the carriers will definitely be built. So he is committed to the idea. Cutting the Harriers now and starting from zero will be a costly mistake. Short term savings at a long term cost.... a British tradition.
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