UK Maritime Patrol Aircraft - An Urgent Requirement
Quote:
The decision has to be made soon. The clock is ticking for Seedcorn.
A year at best.
Makes sense...that'll be it running up to five years and if no other reason the bods on it will want to get on with their lives. And there is nobody to replace them.
The decision has to be made soon. The clock is ticking for Seedcorn.
A year at best.
Makes sense...that'll be it running up to five years and if no other reason the bods on it will want to get on with their lives. And there is nobody to replace them.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SALISBURY
Age: 76
Posts: 706
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And there is nobody to replace them.
I thought I'd heard that as part of the seedcorn "deal" the individuals had to fulfill a minimum return of service, several years, in the RAF after their return to UK. This was a measure put in place in order to prevent them jumping ship as F84 is suggesting they do.
However, perhaps I was misinformed, or if seedcorn is extended perhaps this requirement will be dropped, on the grounds it is no longer realistic, I believe one of the guys was 47/48 when he went!
However, perhaps I was misinformed, or if seedcorn is extended perhaps this requirement will be dropped, on the grounds it is no longer realistic, I believe one of the guys was 47/48 when he went!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I suspect it doe not really matter too much what the TOCs are and what the budget is. We are talking about real peoples lives here...kids need an education, parents getting older and needing care, marital issues etc...
Five to six years then it unravels by itself.
Five to six years then it unravels by itself.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: cardboard box in't middle of t'road
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
The Seedcorn personnel I know have all carefully considered the pros and cons mentioned by TOFO on whether they want to stay in the host nation, as did all the other people who have jumped ship over the years and none, from here, have returned to the UK permanently.
Last edited by Surplus; 29th Jul 2014 at 23:32.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Outside the Matz
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"I thought I'd heard that as part of the seedcorn "deal" the individuals had to fulfill a minimum return of service, several years, in the RAF after their return to UK. This was a measure put in place in order to prevent them jumping ship as F84 is suggesting they do."
Quite right, however NEM and AFPS 15 was implemented after they signed on to the ROS.
As the pension briefer said," each individual must concider the many aspects of AFPS 15 aligned to there individual circumstances and after taking independant advice, decide accordingly"
How binding the ROS is, is now debatable.
Quite right, however NEM and AFPS 15 was implemented after they signed on to the ROS.
As the pension briefer said," each individual must concider the many aspects of AFPS 15 aligned to there individual circumstances and after taking independant advice, decide accordingly"
How binding the ROS is, is now debatable.
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have the Seedcorn folk signed anything ref ROS?
I have often heard of ROS quoted but I have never heard of anyone being held to the detail.
I suspect once a decision is made we will need to recall all the Seedcorn to support whichever platform is chosen. Some may end up in DE&S and other areas where their expertise will be required. Probabley not what most would expect.
I have often heard of ROS quoted but I have never heard of anyone being held to the detail.
I suspect once a decision is made we will need to recall all the Seedcorn to support whichever platform is chosen. Some may end up in DE&S and other areas where their expertise will be required. Probabley not what most would expect.
I see from a (very) short item on the BBC news this morning that SoS for Def has spent the under-spend on some new toys for the cavalry (Scout armoured vehicles)? I hope they are narrow enough to fit through the streets of downtown Syria/Iraq. Looking at their spec - don't think I'd want to go up against a 'Ukrainian separatist' main battle tank in one! Co-incidentally saves jobs in South Wales in the same week as the Nato conference in...South Wales. Sometimes you'd think this nation's Defence policy was there for spin purposes...
Anyhoo - relating to MPA - the beeb showed a clip of some P3s during the story - did I miss something or was that "see what you could have won"?
Anyhoo - relating to MPA - the beeb showed a clip of some P3s during the story - did I miss something or was that "see what you could have won"?
Sandy Parts
See Extract from HANSARD -Written Answers from 1 Sept 14. Last question from Kevin Jones re leasing 4 x P8 airframes, and interesting reply from the Minister.
1 Sep 2014 : Column 103W
Mr Dunne: The decision to extend the Sentinel long-range airborne surveillance aircraft until 2018 was made in the Department’s most recent financial planning cycle. The decision was taken to preserve a capability to conduct wide area surveillance of operational environments in the short term, and to allow the longer-term requirement to be considered during the next Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the new contract to extend the life of the Sentinel aircraft until 2018 will be signed. [206329]
Mr Dunne: The Sentinel aircraft fleet is supported by a number of logistic support contracts, each of which has a different expiry date. Defence Equipment and Support is currently working to extend all contracts before their respective expiry dates.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of expanding the capabilities of the Sentinel R.1. [206985]
Mr Dunne: Enhancements to the Sentinel R1 aircraft are currently the subject of commercial negotiations. I am therefore withholding details of the potential costs, as the disclosure of this information would be prejudicial to the commercial interests of the Ministry of Defence.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communication (a) he and (b) officials in his Department have had with the Boeing Company regarding the lease of four P-8A aircraft. [206988]
Mr Dunne: I am withholding the information requested, as disclosure would be likely to prejudice the formulation or development of Government policy
See Extract from HANSARD -Written Answers from 1 Sept 14. Last question from Kevin Jones re leasing 4 x P8 airframes, and interesting reply from the Minister.
1 Sep 2014 : Column 103W
Mr Dunne: The decision to extend the Sentinel long-range airborne surveillance aircraft until 2018 was made in the Department’s most recent financial planning cycle. The decision was taken to preserve a capability to conduct wide area surveillance of operational environments in the short term, and to allow the longer-term requirement to be considered during the next Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the new contract to extend the life of the Sentinel aircraft until 2018 will be signed. [206329]
Mr Dunne: The Sentinel aircraft fleet is supported by a number of logistic support contracts, each of which has a different expiry date. Defence Equipment and Support is currently working to extend all contracts before their respective expiry dates.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of expanding the capabilities of the Sentinel R.1. [206985]
Mr Dunne: Enhancements to the Sentinel R1 aircraft are currently the subject of commercial negotiations. I am therefore withholding details of the potential costs, as the disclosure of this information would be prejudicial to the commercial interests of the Ministry of Defence.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communication (a) he and (b) officials in his Department have had with the Boeing Company regarding the lease of four P-8A aircraft. [206988]
Mr Dunne: I am withholding the information requested, as disclosure would be likely to prejudice the formulation or development of Government policy
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: by the Great Salt Lake, USA
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 01 Sep 2014 (pt 0004)
1 September 2014
1 September 2014
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communication (a) he and (b) officials in his Department have had with the Boeing Company regarding the lease of four P-8A aircraft. [206988]
Mr Dunne: I am withholding the information requested, as disclosure would be likely to prejudice the formulation or development of Government policy.
Mr Dunne: I am withholding the information requested, as disclosure would be likely to prejudice the formulation or development of Government policy.
sorry, forgot to add my "being facetious" tag to my comment 
Personally, given the manipulation of Defence budgets and figures for political ends, I no longer pay attention to the amounts quoted. They have zero resemblance to the end cost anyway.
Thanks to the above posters for the updates re the 4xP8 rumours - interesting 'swerve' in the answer. Perhaps we should all refrain from asking these important questions on the grounds that it may " prejudice the formulation or development of Government policy." Maybe we are expected to just pay the bill and not worry about how it is calculated or what we get for it?
Personally, given the manipulation of Defence budgets and figures for political ends, I no longer pay attention to the amounts quoted. They have zero resemblance to the end cost anyway. Thanks to the above posters for the updates re the 4xP8 rumours - interesting 'swerve' in the answer. Perhaps we should all refrain from asking these important questions on the grounds that it may " prejudice the formulation or development of Government policy." Maybe we are expected to just pay the bill and not worry about how it is calculated or what we get for it?
Perhaps we should all refrain from asking these important questions on the grounds that it may " prejudice the formulation or development of Government policy."
Dave f68 - You'll have them running around wandering what FRES is/was.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Outside the Matz
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just read a transcript of the SOS speech Prior to the summit. Maritime Security featured quite a bit along with investing in new Equipment. I think I shall put a bottle of Blue Nun on ice for Friday.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: cardboard box in't middle of t'road
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Must go back through these pages and get the quotes ready for posting following the official announcement. 
From todays Independant:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/bu...t-9672666.html
Perhaps they won't need the Seedcorn personnel.
I suspect once a decision is made we will need to recall all the Seedcorn to support whichever platform is chosen. Some may end up in DE&S and other areas where their expertise will be required. Probabley not what most would expect.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/bu...t-9672666.html
Perhaps they won't need the Seedcorn personnel.