I have no bias against air power, Jacko. But your implied claim that naval forces are never used or deployed is a complete load of rubbish. Lets say we need to support an operation far away, with lots of heavy armour involved. How do you move Tanks etc?
By either RFAs or STUFT. How would you defend them from enemy submarines (which, according to you, are the main maritime threat now)? By frigates and destroyers of course. Don't start about the Nimrod, we all know that the Nimrod is more suited to offensive ASW operations (as are our own submarines).
Same applies for enemy surface vessels. Also aircraft cannot implement an embargo, unless they just sink everything. If stop and search is what you want, send for the Navy!!
In short naval forces allow you to dominate the sea space, aircraft on their own cannot do that.
As for cost effectiveness, in 1981 Keith Speed MP got sacked for point out that the Royal Navy and maritime elements of the RAF provided 70% of NATO forces in the Eastern Atlantic for approx 23% of the defence budget, but BAOR and RAF Germany provided 10% of NATO forces in central Europe for 40% of the defence budget.
A naval contribution by the UK to a multinational operation will be more significant (particularly vis-a-vis the US) then sending a few more aircraft instead.
Last edited by WE Branch Fanatic; 25th May 2002 at 14:45.