Pure electioneering by a man who couldnt give a toss for the military. The telling comment was "something will have to give elsewhere". But what?
And these are all shiny kit projects, capital projects. All designed to provide industry jobs, particularly in sensitive constituencies rather than delivering capability. As one of the experts says:
“...if the discussion is erudite, serious and conducted by intelligent people, it should at least make sure that the choice of equipment and the posture of the UK is the optimum one based on the most likely scenarios of the potential threats rather than the short cut of eliminating one procurement programme to make the figures match the spending caps of the Treasury,” he said. “That is the distinction between a good defence review and a naff defence review.”
The only stated policy I've seen so far that makes any sense going forward is from UKIP. The Tories havent come out with anything, waiting to see which way the wind blows... and Labour have shown exactly what their opinion of the military is.
Hopefully, people will see through this sham for thats what it is.