PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Fury at Def Sec over Helicopter Shortage
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Old 9th Jul 2009, 00:30
  #23 (permalink)  
Jackonicko
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Just behind the back of beyond....
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232 supports a forward fleet of 137. The arithmetic shows that this figure is sufficient for seven frontline squadrons over the planned life of the jet.

Now to me, seven squadrons does not seem too many. You need five squadrons for UK AD and the Falklands commitment, and two spare to allow deployed AD or for work ups and deployments in the A-G role does not seem excessive.

But we won't get 232.

Tranche 2 has effectively been reduced by 24 jets, and if Tranche 3B doesn't happen, then Tranche 3 is smaller by another 48. It really looks like we'll get 160-180 Typhoons to support a forward fleet of 123 aircraft - sufficient for the five squadrons currently planned.

And that certainly isn't too many.
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