What could be next for the axe?

[NutLoose]

Well can the F3 go round corners again?

[gashman]

So if the RAF loses the Reds,and/or BBMF, does the Army stop the changing of the guard and Queen's Birthday stuff? Both raise the profile of their respective service in a non-war fighting role, yet based on tradition. Strange how we have a thread like this running along side a thread on the Malta airshow complaining about the lack of an RAF flying display.

[airborne_artist]

So if the RAF loses the Reds,and/or BBMF, does the Army stop the changing of the guard and Queen's Birthday stuff?

In which case would the RN sell off HMS Victory - I doubt it...

[vecvechookattack]

Sadly, HMS Victory doesn't belong to the RN and so they couldn't sell it.

[Wrathmonk]

Vec

According to here :

HMS Victory remains a commissioned ship of the Royal Navy and the Flag Ship of the Second Sea Lord & Commander in Chief Naval Home Command.

Whilst I don't doubt your statement () how does it work? Is it a PFI style agreement similar to certain flying training aircraft or has it been 'sold off' to the museum? Only curious because it would seem that BBMF may benefit from a similar arrangement if it meant it ringfenced them from the salami slicing machine!

[Wensleydale]

And 23 Sqn got the axe today... They paraded goodbye at Waddington this morning. The Sentry is back to just one Sqn (8) with part of 54(R) providing the OCU.

[sandiego89]

Second carrier

I could see the second carrier, PRINCE OF WALES, further "deferred" then quietly cut in a few years, leaving a one carrier program, and therefore less F-35B's. Not in favor of this, just my thoughts.

[Finnpog]

Shamelessly stolen from Rum ration

The Sunday Times article suggesting that 'Elicopter Bob is tightening the blue coloured public purses.

Cutbacks for both the Royal Navy and the RAF - Times Online

Here we go...

[Jabba_TG12]

You spotted it too Finnpog

Bugger, you got there first. Did you also see this one?

Treasury block more helicopters for Afghanistan - Times Online

HMT up to their old tricks again?

[GPMG]

Where did all of the other posts go on this thread?

[Melchett01]

The Sunday Times article suggesting that 'Elicopter Bob is tightening the blue coloured public purses.

Cutbacks for both the Royal Navy and the RAF - Times Online

Here we go...

Bugger, you got there first. Did you also see this one?

Treasury block more helicopters for Afghanistan - Times Online

HMT up to their old tricks again?

God it's depressing to be in defence at the moment. If it isn't the Taliban, then the politicians are trying to finish us off. I'd like to say focussing every penny on Afghanistan is short sighted, but the MOD and the politicans don't care. Churchill must be turning in his grave and thinking this is all looking uncannily similar to the 20s and 30s. And even when we do try to buy kit for Afghanistan, the bean counters say no. I'd love to let rip with a torrent of abuse, but quite frankly, they aren't worth the effort or the words.

Still, look on the bright side. We might be bankrupt, have no leadership, old and broken kit, but at least the various ministers will be able to head off into the sunset after the election on a nice pension after the overall bill for ministerial pensions went up 30% in one year. Bob's pension pot has somehow grown 62% in a year. Glad we managed to find the money for that.

What the hell has happened to the country and how did we sleep walk into the current mess?

[REMF holbeach]

God it's depressing to be in defence at the moment. If it isn't the Taliban, then the politicians are trying to finish us off.

I don't think you could really count being in P1 at BSW RAF Holbeach as being in defence. Somehow I think you and your paper clips are safe from the Taliban.
They have bigger fish to fry.

I'd like to say focussing every penny on Afghanistan is short sighted

Why? Are you running short of Bic pens?

I'd love to let rip with a torrent of abuse

But you are too afraid to, even on an anonymous forum just in case it affects your pension or any future promotion.

What the hell has happened to the country and how did we sleep walk into the current mess?

Clearly they didn't listen to you and have let your stationary budget fall year on year.

[cazatou]

Do I spot a TROLL?