UK Planning
Well,
Fast Jets
The first thing I would do is integrate the full range of Tornado Air-To-Ground Weaponry onto the Typhoon. Whist this may look expensive it would allow Tornado to be retired early. I would delay our orders for F-35C until 2020 or at least until the HMS Prince of Wales is commissioned and when the carriers enter service lease some Harriers of the U.S. for use to allow HMS Queen Elizabeth to work up. Then I would lease some F/A-18 SHornet to allow the FAA to have its fair share of Fast Jet Flying. This would be followed when F-35 enters service by the transfer of the F/A-18 to the RAF when there are sufficient numbers of F-35 to equip a Carrier Strike Wing. When there are large amounts of F-35 in service the F/A-18’s would be returned to the USA.
Training
Firstly I would make the Tucano replacement program be based upon remanufactured RAF Tucanos to save costs. From here pilots would progress onto Hawk as is currently the case.
With regards to carrier training I think that we should put pilots though the US Navy system to save money.
Helicopter Flying
Helicopter flying with Chinooks and Puma’s should continue. With regards to a Puma replacement in the long term I think that it would be best served with AW139’s. What I would do is replace the Puma’s on a One-For-One basis and also buy a small amount for SAR use (they are already used by the Coastguard and I would not operate it under PFI).
I would also transfer the Naval Lynx fleet to Culdrose therefore concentrating all rotary-wing ASW flying. With this I would also use some for SAR work with the Merlin being available for major incidents. All Commando flying would be done at Yeovilton alongside FAA Fast Jet activities (or I would move it back to Lossie so Lecaurs can remain open). The RAF-to-FAA transfer of Merlins would go ahead as planned).
Maritime Patrol
This is very much an argued matter but in the Short run I would acquire CN-239/295 or ATR-72 ASW Aircraft to furfil this role. In the long run I would look at P-8 or a A320 Derivered Aicraft. These would be operated by the FAA
Transport Aicraft
Depending on Cancelation cost I would cancel A400M. I would then up 99 Squadrons number of aircraft to 12 to cope with increasing demand and the fact that it has a good proven track record. I would also order another 15-20 C-130J to be rolled into the tactical side. This would save costs as we would be operating 2 Platforms not 3.
I would try and get other European countries to buy into FSTA in order to allow cost savings (but the UK would always have first call on its contracted 14 aircraft). This standardisation would mean all overhauls and things would be done at Brize, allowing British business to prosper. With 14 MRTT aircraft replacing 19 or a mix there is the right amount and if needs be some pure cargo A330’s could be purchased second-hand on the civilian market.
I would purchase 2 Global Express and 4-6 Challenger aircraft to replace the BAe146/125’s and the two spare 146’s would be transferred to complement the airlift 146’s recently purchased.
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That is everything I can think of that I would change and although not huge savings it would allow more long term capability at a negligible cost.
Kind Regards
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