RAF C-130J's to be retired early?
yes - that's where we are .
All the intentions, plans, aspirations, desires etc etc have hit the hard rock that there isn't enough cash
Just look at UK F-35 purchases for another wonderful illustration of how economic reality imposes itself on MoD plans
This will continue until we either decide to tax people a lot more to pay for what we want OR
we decide on what we can afford and then cut our "needs" accordingly
All the intentions, plans, aspirations, desires etc etc have hit the hard rock that there isn't enough cash
Just look at UK F-35 purchases for another wonderful illustration of how economic reality imposes itself on MoD plans
This will continue until we either decide to tax people a lot more to pay for what we want OR
we decide on what we can afford and then cut our "needs" accordingly
yes - that's where we are .
All the intentions, plans, aspirations, desires etc etc have hit the hard rock that there isn't enough cash
Just look at UK F-35 purchases for another wonderful illustration of how economic reality imposes itself on MoD plans
This will continue until we either decide to tax people a lot more to pay for what we want OR
we decide on what we can afford and then cut our "needs" accordingly
All the intentions, plans, aspirations, desires etc etc have hit the hard rock that there isn't enough cash
Just look at UK F-35 purchases for another wonderful illustration of how economic reality imposes itself on MoD plans
This will continue until we either decide to tax people a lot more to pay for what we want OR
we decide on what we can afford and then cut our "needs" accordingly
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In today's Daily Mail, the MoD Civil staff is now 60,640 an increase of 3000 in 4 years. It is now close to the combined strength of the Royal Navy, the Marines and the RAF! So each serving service person will soon have a 'personal civil servant.'
mmitch.
mmitch.
I'm sure we can all agree on how dross the final special paint scheme is unveiled yesterday. One of the most important aircraft to operate over the years and all we get is a sticker!!
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Every penny counts!
Like no doubt everyone else her I am a 'taxpayer' . Itseems to me we have never really defiend what our military are for, clealry defence of the realm is up there but what does thata ctually ean. An earleir poster made the point that alone we justare not very important any more. As a majr memebr of NATO , and the EU we were a very significant global player. Our history has given us a legacy of dedicated competent military personnel but we dont have the money to effectively equip them or even maintain their homes.
The usual panic cut taxes pre election measure (which only benefits rich people anyway) puts even more pressure on Government to reduce military expenditure at a time when perhaps we should be gently increasing it .A Catch 22 situation which leads to bad decsions all around and so the spiral continues.
The usual panic cut taxes pre election measure (which only benefits rich people anyway) puts even more pressure on Government to reduce military expenditure at a time when perhaps we should be gently increasing it .A Catch 22 situation which leads to bad decsions all around and so the spiral continues.
The good people and politicians of the UK want a low tax US style economy but a Scandinavian level of Govt support - just look a t the screaming over the possible abolition of the Triple Lock on pensions.
I would remind you that as late as the the 70's, when we had a reasonably large set of armed services, Supertax could run to 98% on parts of your income and you had to fill in a form to get a paltry few quid to go on holiday overseas. Times have changed - but not all the changes have been for the best.
You get what you pay for
I would remind you that as late as the the 70's, when we had a reasonably large set of armed services, Supertax could run to 98% on parts of your income and you had to fill in a form to get a paltry few quid to go on holiday overseas. Times have changed - but not all the changes have been for the best.
You get what you pay for
Yes and VAT was 8% then 12.5% we have shifted the burden to regressive indirect taxes and NI which affects employers and the less well paid more heavily. 98% was investment income only.
We tend to look at these things in isolation, the tax burden has grown across 'advance economies'. In 2021 the UK Tax burden as a %age of GDP was 23rd of the 34 'advanced economies'. IMO if the UK we were capable of grown up thinking we would raise the tax burden - ours is 5%+ less that the EU 14 average. Then we might be able to afford a sensible increase in defence spending.
The big burdens are the NHS, Welfare and Pensions. The NHS and Social Care are desperately in need of reform but our politcos think they are better off using them as political footballs than seeking the consensus required.
The sole duties of government - internal and external security account for less than 10% of spending.
Tax summary description Description of PESA source
Public Sector Expenditure 2021-2022
Health 22.8%
Welfare ‘Social Protection’ excluding state pensions 20.4%
State Pensions Within ‘Social Protection’ 11.0%
Education 10.5%
National Debt Interest Within General Public Services 7.6%
Business & Industry Economic Affairs, without Transport 5.4%
Defence 5.1%
Transport Economic Affairs, without Business and Industry 4.7%
Public Order & Safety Public Order & Safety 4.4%
Government Administration Captured under General Public Services 2.3%
Housing and utilities (e.g. street lights) Housing & Community Amenities 15.3 1.6%
Environment protection 1.5%
Culture (e.g. sports, libraries, museums) Recreation, Culture & Religion 1.3%
Outstanding payments to the EU includes the European Union Financial Settlement payments 0.7%
Overseas Aid Captured under General Public Services 0.6%
We tend to look at these things in isolation, the tax burden has grown across 'advance economies'. In 2021 the UK Tax burden as a %age of GDP was 23rd of the 34 'advanced economies'. IMO if the UK we were capable of grown up thinking we would raise the tax burden - ours is 5%+ less that the EU 14 average. Then we might be able to afford a sensible increase in defence spending.
The big burdens are the NHS, Welfare and Pensions. The NHS and Social Care are desperately in need of reform but our politcos think they are better off using them as political footballs than seeking the consensus required.
The sole duties of government - internal and external security account for less than 10% of spending.
Tax summary description Description of PESA source
Public Sector Expenditure 2021-2022
Health 22.8%
Welfare ‘Social Protection’ excluding state pensions 20.4%
State Pensions Within ‘Social Protection’ 11.0%
Education 10.5%
National Debt Interest Within General Public Services 7.6%
Business & Industry Economic Affairs, without Transport 5.4%
Defence 5.1%
Transport Economic Affairs, without Business and Industry 4.7%
Public Order & Safety Public Order & Safety 4.4%
Government Administration Captured under General Public Services 2.3%
Housing and utilities (e.g. street lights) Housing & Community Amenities 15.3 1.6%
Environment protection 1.5%
Culture (e.g. sports, libraries, museums) Recreation, Culture & Religion 1.3%
Outstanding payments to the EU includes the European Union Financial Settlement payments 0.7%
Overseas Aid Captured under General Public Services 0.6%
Last edited by SLXOwft; 7th Jun 2023 at 19:51.
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I found a lot of what was said about 'the superior capability' of the A400M at the recent Defence Select Committee hearing to be disingenuous. They kept making the point, ad nauseum, that the A400M is bigger and therefore it must be better, highlighting the operation in Sudan.
"Well, I think actually it's not a loss of capability, it's a gain of capability, because the Secretary of State very clearly believes this is a next generation aircraft ahead of the Hercules. On at that crucial operation in Sudan, the maximum number of people that was carried out by the Hercules was 143, [while] the maximum from the A400 was 251. That is incredibly important." - Minister for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge
Begs the question why we didn't buy a shed load more C-17s while the line was still open, if the number of passengers it can carry is the absolute standard by which we're measuring our air mobility capability.
"Well, I think actually it's not a loss of capability, it's a gain of capability, because the Secretary of State very clearly believes this is a next generation aircraft ahead of the Hercules. On at that crucial operation in Sudan, the maximum number of people that was carried out by the Hercules was 143, [while] the maximum from the A400 was 251. That is incredibly important." - Minister for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge
Begs the question why we didn't buy a shed load more C-17s while the line was still open, if the number of passengers it can carry is the absolute standard by which we're measuring our air mobility capability.
Apart from Belgium & now the UK every A400 operates a smaller type (C130/C295/C235) to supplement the larger aircraft.
It doesn’t matter how big / good an aircraft is it can’t be in 2 x places at once.
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anyone know where Wooten Basset is ?
airsound
You must have a very short memory.
ROYAL Wootton Bassett is located just north of Lyneham and was on the route from Lyneham to the M4 where many of the returning military personnel were taken after landing. The local people of Wootton Bassett took it on themselves to honour the returnees by route lining thus earning them the 'Royal' title.
ROYAL Wootton Bassett is located just north of Lyneham and was on the route from Lyneham to the M4 where many of the returning military personnel were taken after landing. The local people of Wootton Bassett took it on themselves to honour the returnees by route lining thus earning them the 'Royal' title.
I see they haven't taken up my suggestion of Changi
. I was genuinely hoping Baker Barracks (i.e. Thorney Island) would be included in the flypasts then I would have had a chance to see it.
(No indication of which 1000 
)
I won't link to the article as it is ruined by A400 propaganda.
I still can't believe the Workules is going. Many thanks to all who served in them or serviced them (in any way).
Some time ago (2014ish) a scamp managed to get a mention of RAF Rompers Green in an RAF related wikipedia article; the wiki fun police presumably found it and removed as it is no longer there. Nor it appears sadly is the www.rompersgreen.com website.
. I was genuinely hoping Baker Barracks (i.e. Thorney Island) would be included in the flypasts then I would have had a chance to see it.
The last operational Hercules flight took place at 1000 on 4 June 23, when 47 Squadron flew from RAF Akrotiri to RAF Brize Norton.
Deputy Commander Operations Air Marshal Harvey Smyth gave a speech at the parade praising the proud history of the aircraft before boarding, along with the current members of 47 Sqn, for the return flight.
Deputy Commander Operations Air Marshal Harvey Smyth gave a speech at the parade praising the proud history of the aircraft before boarding, along with the current members of 47 Sqn, for the return flight.
)I won't link to the article as it is ruined by A400 propaganda.
I still can't believe the Workules is going. Many thanks to all who served in them or serviced them (in any way).
Some time ago (2014ish) a scamp managed to get a mention of RAF Rompers Green in an RAF related wikipedia article; the wiki fun police presumably found it and removed as it is no longer there. Nor it appears sadly is the www.rompersgreen.com website.
UK tour, Kings Birthday flypast, backdrop for hgr bash ......... ferry to Cambridge, stand down duty done.