I know this has been posted on the MRA4 thread, but I thought it deserved a wider audience.
Britain must now depend on the French to stave off naval attack | The Sun |News
AXING the RAF's Nimrod spy planes leaves Britain's defences so weak we will have to depend on the FRENCH to stave off a naval attack on us.
French Atlantique planes operating from UK bases will monitor and intercept unauthorised ships and submarines.
The humiliation comes exactly 205 years to the day after Nelson's fleet saw off Napoleon at Trafalgar.
And The Sun can reveal that just as Prime Minister David Cameron was announcing the axing, TWO Russian submarines were intercepted less than 70 miles off our shores.
They had to be tracked by American P3 Orion jets because our Nimrods were grounded and the French planes had NO FUEL.
The incident was an embarrassing reminder to politicians about the importance of having eyes in the skies around Britain.
The nine Nimrods, which cost £3billion, were designed for anti-sub warfare and marine patrols.
A source at RAF Kinloss, Scotland, said: "Axing them was very short-sighted.
"These planes offer vital cover around our shores and keep us safe from attack from the sea.
"Without them we will have to rely on the French to monitor the skies and look for rogue vessels."
Defence expert John Lake said the decision ended "65 years of world-leading anti-sub and maritime patrol capability".
An MoD spokesman said: "We routinely operate alongside our allies and will utilise a range of military assets to ensure the integrity of UK waters."