FODPlod, Buying things ‘we might like’, rather than determining a capability requirement and prioritising its affordability, is what got us to where we are.
I’m all for the carrier(s)- what yanks my chain is the complete failure to identify and cost the Capability. All of the DLODs are required to be in place before the operating Capability can be declared - so what do you suggest?
1 claim a global carrier enabled power projection capability that is nothing of the sort, and hope nobody notices.
2 acknowledge defence’s failings in procuring the capability and declare the actual limited operating capability.
3 address the capability shortfalls and fix them- (not limited to COD by the way).