From They Work For You - 15Dec09
Future Defence Programme debate
Bob Ainsworth:
On the withdrawal of Nimrod, I do not take these decisions without consulting the Chief of the
Air Staff and the
First Sea Lord. Other platforms are capable of providing the maritime patrol responsibilities. They have done so before-they are Merlin and Hercules, and we can meet our obligations with those other platforms.
It is true that these 2 platforms can provide MPA responsibilities to a degree, however, if SoS Def has been led to believe they can replace the full
multi role capability of Nimrod, then he's been mis-informed.
Vage rot asks what savings will be made as a result of this decision. My guess? Not a lot compared to the overall package ......... unless it's preparing the ground for binning MRA4 and closing Kinloss completely.
I don't believe CAS and 1SL are anything less than canny and astute politicians who have good brains between them. I think they're playing a high stakes game of poker with the house, car and wife on the table.
I hope you've got good cards Sirs.
PS Fortunately, your opponent is not the sharpest cookie in the box.