SNP propose 7 Airbases for Scotland post Independence

[Hummingfrog]

On the Big Debate on Scottish TV last night Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy Leader of the SNP, answered a question on Defence post independence and said that Scotland can be compared to Norway and will have a similar capability. She said Norway had 7 airbases and by inference suggested that was what Scotland would have.

Nominations for the bases - Looks like Ex RAF Machrihanish was a snip at £1, perhaps it was bought by a SNP sleeper!!

HF

[Lima Juliet]

I'd vote for:

Glenforsa (Isle of Mull)
Strathaven
East Lochlane Farm
Hatton
Viewfield
Knockbain Farm
Feshiebridge

and the Free-Scottish Air Force shoukd operate their last great aircraft - the Scottish Aviation Bulldog!

LJ

[Doctor Cruces]

Yeah, but what are they gonna operate after we take all our assets out?

[bingofuel]

Buy up some old Hunters, and create a volunteer Scottish Air Force reserve!
Where can I apply!!

[renfrew]

Remember we get our 8 or 9% of military assets at the break up.

[petetheplane]

All splendid Scottish choices, of course, and magnificent venues for the incipient Free Scottish Air Force. However, you do appear have omitted RAF Twatt (Orkney).

[Talk Split]

Not when the Scottish Regiments are taken as a cost saving measure when Army2020 reports in 2 weeks...

[Jayand]

Think you are trying too hard to make that fit.
She never said Scotland would have anything like 7 bases, merely mentioned Norway's number purely as an example.
Along with everything else last night the SNP were unclear and or unable to give the audience any facts about what they would actually do.
Pure idealogical, selfish Nationalistic claptrap.
Clouds and Cuckoo's spring to mind!

[Melchett01]

Remember we get our 8 or 9% of military assets at the break up.

And how to you plan on funding, resourcing and maintaining them? If Scotland wants to go it alone, then go it alone means just that. Not go it alone apart from X, Y and Z which London can stump up for. And that includes defence.

[renfrew]

On OECD GDP figures UK ranks about 16.
Scotland will rank about 6 and will be able to afford to defend itself.

[Jayand]

Yeah of course it can! Is that in the Euro or not? If it stillexists.
If you think oil will pay for it all then your mistaken, Norway so often used as an example of how the SNP will do business made a decision forty years ago when the North Sea oil boom began to take a 51% controlling stake in their oil and have been investing the profits heavily into their country ever since.
Scotland is forty years too late and can't now catch up.

[Wander00]

Wot's that - 7 bases, one airframe a base!

[occhips]

And to think you will need the euro to pay for all of this winner

[NutLoose]

I have a cunning plan, we can sell them Simulators, ideal for RScotAF Kinloss, as they be Nimrods

BidSpotter.co.uk" - Lot Find

[Lima Juliet]

Renfrew

I think you have been reading too much tripe from the fat salmon with a d. The figures you quote are for "per capita GDP", which is way different to GDP, and guess who comes top of the list? Luxembourg!!! There's a massive air force there isn't there? (unless of course you count the NATO owned E3As with Luxembourg registrations!).

Norway comes 2nd in your list, followed by Switzerland...spot the common thread for using GDP per capita? Yes, small populations. The USA with it's massive industrial base and natural resources comes in 5th just ahead of Scotland.

LJ

[Melchett01]

You keep telling yourself that renfrew.

You might be surprised how quickly free prescriptions, no university fees, freezing council tax, real terms increases in health services and benefits associated with an unemployment rate that is currently the same as that for the whole of the UK all eat into your GDP.

You might be able to afford to maintain a few infantry battalions and a couple of light aircraft at the start, but do you really think you could sustain any credible capability over the long term - operating costs, programme sustainment, personnel costs and recruitment and capability replacements?

If you aren't part of NATO, you won't be able to claim for assistance there and I wouldn't bank on walking out of the UK and straight into the EU for assistance there either.

[labrador pup]

Wee Eck will only require 2 heavy lift transport aircraft in his air force, one for himself and one for his ego.

[AARON O'DICKYDIDO]

I order to be like Norway Scotland will have to raise tax. Lets compare to Norway - Beer £10 per pint ! That will go down well - not.


Aaron.

[chopabeefer]

Have I missed the point? Why does Scotland need an air force? Are there really foreign nations out there who covet midges, alcoholics and morbidly obese, grease eating lard monsters whose hobbies are sweating and fighting for breath?

Scotland arent deluded - they dont need to fear attack and they know it. It is beautiful, no doubt, but so is Siberia. Nobody clamouring to invade that.

Scotland is safe, unless the ad fab cast need more alcoholics to join them.

[NutLoose]

You would need to pay me more than £10 a pint to get me to drink Tennants.