Fox: RAF Will Not Merge With Other Services
 

Defense News: Fox: RAF Will Not Merge With Other Services

British Defence Secretary Liam Fox has ended speculation that the Royal Air Force could be merged with the other armed services.

In a speech to military and industry leaders in London on July 13, Fox said he has rejected advice urging him to merge air operations fully into other services.

"I am clear that the RAF makes a definable and unique contribution to Britain's defense - a contribution that it would be wrong dispense with," Fox said at the Royal United Services Institute Air Power Conference.

The defense secretary said Britain could not afford to lose the doctrinal understanding of air power and its effects, which is burned deep into collective fiber of the force.

"The value of the RAF is not confined to history - far from it," he said.

The Ministry of Defence recently rolled out a series of proposed structural reforms that stopped short of merging the armed services but said that it intended to create a joint forces command led by a four-star general.

That command will likely pull together some joint assets such as intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR).

Fox said that joint operations are in the "very DNA" of the force.

Doug Barrie, senior air analyst at the International Institute of Strategic Studies, said Fox had taken the right decision. "The use of air power is both served through sustaining an independent organization geared to operating often in a joint environment. Merger would have ill-served the U.K.'s military capability," Barrie said.

Fox went on to praise the role of the Typhoon fighter in the air campaign against Moammar Gadhafi's regime in Libya and said the aircraft's performance was impressing potential export customers, including India, where the jet is in a head-to-head competition with France's Rafale for a multibillion-pound deal.

That's it then, death knell just sounded!:suspect:

No doubt they have taken "Legal Advice" to come up with this denial.

Is this similarly confidence-building to a Minister in the pooh being given the "complete confidence" of the PM!

That ties in nicely with the rumour about AH going to the RAF and the FAA going in 2 years. Maybe all the AAC too?

Ivan,

God I hope not. The wailing and whining from the green and dark blue on this site would make the recent moaning about Harrier look like reasoned argument...;)

Before long we'll only have a couple of helicopters and they'll be on loan from Bristow......

Knock yourself out with taking over the helo's; a HELQUEST will be winging your way to ensure you embark for my 7 month deployment, and associated work up period before hand. I don't care what colour uniform you wear, you're still coming to sea with me!

What else would Fox say at an Air power conference.....you can apply just the same logic to the FAA and the AAC - perhaps Fox needs to tell this to the RAF!

Ahh Government speak, does that mean the Other Services can still Merge with the RAF and then we will rename it???

The Melchester Rovers Board of Directors can confirm that the Manager continues to enjoy our complete confidence...

The way things are going, you won't have a great deal to offer in any merger. We'll wait for you to fold and then pick through any remaining worthwhile assets.

I love it when the fisheads and pongos trot out this 'disband the RAF' guff. If the decision is taken and the assets are divided, there will be noone to operate them. I'd sooner draw the dole than get seen off like the other 2 services. Some of the posters on this forum are intent on a race to the bottom of the scrapheap....:ugh:

I like the idea of beoming part of the Army. I would get a smashing new set of uniforms and would be able to go public on my fetish for dressing up like Rupert Bear.
I wouldn't have to think for myself anymore because you never question the boss and when I've feathered my nest for a few years I could join the other Army officers by leaving as soon as possible and get a job in the city!
Sounds good to me.:ok:

Sorry Fatter Gator, your view on Army officers is based on first hand experience or a pathetically naive view based on prejudices that may have been relevant many years ago.

Well done on achieving dick post of the week ward; you must be very proud...

Wow, the RAF complaining.....what a surprise.

Ivan I didn't think it would be as limited at that. Nutloose, exactly what I was thinking. An the RAF would adopt the beret as standard head dress and wear cabbage kit. Those in UK could wear blue cabbage kit.

Maxibon

Just to confirm, you ARE agreeing with fatty gator then?

quote 'your view on Army officers is based on first hand experience' unquote

FATTY - looks like you got a bite :E

Fatter, you seem to have the size of it although my colonel would have needed an outsize bear outfit.

You forgot to mention retiring at least as a major or more likely a lt col and then getting a job as a consultant for the MOD selling them a reprinted copy of an obscure JSP they had already got.

Fatter,

Don't forget you get to bring your fat, wheezy, and flatulent dog to the office as well, as opposed to the other services where they only get taken to the Summer Ball!