More than possible! Actually it’s what should of been done in the first place rather then update the SHAR FRS1.

It might be a relatively cheap option but the UK defence budget is in a state of collapse.

Beedalls website has been updated but I suggest if you want to have a happy Christmas don’t read it until the new year.

I read it already, not encouraging! It has to be balanced asainst the fact that the UK spends more on defence that all but three other countries. Having said that the RN seem to be getting the worst end of the deal. This months Warships International Fleet Revies reports a decision on CVF being postponed until 2007.

I stillcan’t see the RN not getting CVF even if it means buying less JSF than planned to make up the cost difference. Hopefully not just wishful thinking.

Then the max is :
9×2=18 the RN
9×2=18 the RAF

36 Harries GR7 is the max number of aircraft that could be deploied on the 2 Invincible class?

Is it correct?

A recent article I saw gave the numbers of Harriers at between 60 and 70 (can’t remember the exact number.)

Don’t worry, Gordon Brown’s bought a squardon of giant airfix kits with some loose change he found down the back of the sofa. Unfortunately he’s such a cheapskate they’re being sent surface mail so they won’t get there for several weeks.

The bad news is that John Prescott is going to assemble them….

😀 😎 😉

Didn’t you hear? Airfix went bust so they will take even longer to get there!

Fighter aircraft fraud probe ends

The Serious Fraud Office has ended its corruption inquiry into a £6bn fighter planes deal with Saudi Arabia.
Attorney General Lord Goldsmith said the SFO was “discontinuing” its investigation into Britain’s biggest defence company, BAE Systems.

The probe had related to the Al Yamamah arms deal with Saudi Arabia. BAE has denied any wrongdoing.

Lord Goldsmith told the Lords he thought that a prosecution “could not be brought”.

He said the decision had been made in the wider public interest, which had to be balanced against the rule of law.

No one is going to win any Saudi business until this SFO investigation ends

Senior defence executive

Defence firms fear Saudi fall-out

Lord Goldsmith also told peers that Prime Minister Tony Blair had agreed that the continuation of the investigation would cause “serious damage” to relations between the UK and Saudi Arabia.

It emerged earlier this month that French and Saudi officials were in talks over a possible alternative deal, which could scupper the BAE sale.

Lord Goldsmith said that both Mr Blair and Defence Secretary Des Browne had argued that carrying on the investigation would harm intelligence and diplomatic co-operation with Saudi Arabia, in turn damaging the UK’s national security.

BBC business editor Robert Peston says that major UK companies – both arms firms and other manufacturers – have voiced fears that they stood to lose other lucrative deals should the probe have continued.

The SFO said in a statement, however: “No weight has been given to commercial interests or to the national economic interest.”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6180945.stm

The USAF didn’t want it. It was forced on them because the UK wouldn’t stop whining.

Hmm the Brits pushed for something they wanted from the yanks and got it. Makes a nice change for the boot to be on the other foot! If you call that whining then I say whine on!

Remember that the US asked for other nations to join it in developing the JSF. Why? For no other reason than to reduce the R&D cost to the US. You didn’t have to ask but did because you wanted it.

I’m glad to see the UK screwing the US for all it can get. In case you hadn’t noticed the rest of the world is tired of being screwed by uncle sam.