So, if the overnight news was correct, and the defence budget will be cut by just under nine percent, I suppose we can all start debating again
Out of interest, what are the average ages of a GR4 and a GR9?
Could we not just keep both types, but give the Harriers all to the Navy, so they at least have something for their new carriers?
This what I thought would have been the best way of going about it. To scrap the entire GR4 Force and hang on to a few Harriers seemed like chopping off both legs. Surely a reduction in the GR4s from 7 to 5 sqns and the loss of 1 sqn Harriers then leave the rest to the FAA. Meanwhile move the reduced GR4s from Lossiemouth to Leeming and the Harriers from Wittering to Lossiemouth. Meaning you've got the Harriers in place where the F35s will be going and Wittering along with Cottesmore can then be used to house returning Army units from Germany. But I bet that never happens!
FB