BBC News website quoted a 'Senior MOD Official' as blaming the Navy for getting them into this mess so they would have to take the pain for getting them out!
Ambitious VSOs playing games with long-term costings and project dates.....not unlike the bankers gambling with other peoples money.
That's as may be, but there are major strategic implications here, and not just militarily. The UK's image has the potential to unravel rapidly if we are not careful. We want to portray ourselves as key players and reliable partners and yet all we are able to offer up are small numbers and 1s & 2s here and there. Frankly in a world going to hell in a handcart requiring more and more intervention to preserve national equities, then this isn't going to cut it and we will be found wanting. If we want to be more than a bit part player, yes we need senior leaders to be fiscally responsible, but equally our national leadership must also realise they can't simply pass the buck down the chain and totally absolve themselves for the outcomes of the decisions based on their framework within which we operate.