Cuts to the RAF’s E-7 Wedgetail AEW Mk1 aircraft purchase “terrible portent for the UK Armed Forces” say experts.

The Human Security Centre say they are alarmed by the apparent decision to reduce the planned fleet of UK Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft from five to three.

Senior Fellow and Security and Defence team leader, Dr Rowan Allport, said:

“When Russian aircraft are probing UK and NATO air defences on a regular basis, one of the primary conventional wartime threat to the British mainland comes from low-flying cruise missiles which are difficult to detect using ground-based radar, and the complexity of the air environment facing deployed UK forces is greater than ever, the decision to reduce the purchase of E-7 Wedgetail aircraft below the already bare-bones planned fleet of five is very difficult to justify. Arguments that these platforms are vulnerable to modern long-range air defence missiles and low-observation fighters have merit, but the choice right now is either an adequate fleet of traditional airborne early warning and control aircraft or accepting a significant capability gap until more robust uncrewed systems of a type that are not yet in service anywhere in the world become available. The proposed cuts also set a terrible portent for the UK Armed Forces regarding the wider outcome of the current Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy. There is no route to a Global Britain if we are unable to even provide adequate radar coverage over the North Sea.”

Senior Fellow Simon Schofield added:

“The decision to reduce the number of E-7 Wedgetails raises serious questions as to whether the UK will be able to maintain its NATO commitments. The proposed cut also ignores the critical role such aircraft have in generating situational awareness and providing air asset coordination in peacetime and during less intense conflicts – the latter including the ongoing effort against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. It is vital that the MoD reconsider this decision.”

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Cam
Cam
3 years ago

I can’t say I’m surprised! I suppose it’s easier to slash the numbers now rather than when they have bloody arrived in Britain and been given a name. I hate the way our millitray has been weakened and continues to be!

Cam
Cam
3 years ago
Reply to  Cam

I suppose Nato has awacs assets these days, they might even get our old airframes I read somewhere. Why do we continue to put up with cut cut cut! These are things we should protest, not made up systemic Racism that thee is no proof of when you get into it. And some of our richest citizens are black! Lewis Hamilton says he’s oppressed and racism stopped him!! but his bank balance and reach says otherwise…

Fedaykin
Fedaykin
3 years ago
Reply to  Cam

The difference is Germany publicly accepts culpability for its historical crimes and has repeatedly apologised to those affected. It has also put significant resource into compensating those affected and still does. The UK has an ongoing awkward debate about its Imperial past preferring to see it with rose tinted glasses than truly face up to what was done by our ancestors. Pointing out that some of our richest citizens are black ignores the reality that they are very much a minority when it comes to wealth in this country. That doesn’t mean I agree with everything that BLM say or… Read more »

Geoffrey Hicking
Geoffrey Hicking
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

The left are squandering goodwill and destroying their argument. If they argued for investment in non-Western businesses as some form of “atonement” (whether we should or not), then that would do more good (and eventually make wages over here more competitive as wages over there rise, in the bargain).

HF
HF
3 years ago

‘The left’ ? You mean the protesters, either on the streets or in public life ? I doubt Hamilton is on the left, since he was brought up earlier, as he is tax dodging in Switzerland. There are plenty of people non-left who support the general movement. Let’s not do a Trump and make out they are all violent leftists out to bring down society. As for racism, it’s far less than it was – in the 60’s at grammar school racial insults for non-whites was commonplace. But it still exists.

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  HF

Unfortunately we have a government which has indulged in scapegoating and division, which has exacerbated the problem in the UK.

Nathan
Nathan
3 years ago
Reply to  HF

Trump loves hyperbole but on this one he is nailing it – he is rightly pointing out, unlike our politicians, most of the Democrats or the major media that a large swathe of those protestors have anarchist tendencies rooted in critical race theory. They are intent on bringing radical change to society because in their analysis all power structures are intrinsically racist, cannot be reformed and need to be torn down. If you are willing to do the leg work you can find interviews with the founders of BLM on YouTube where they categorically state they are “trained Marxists” whose… Read more »

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  Nathan

I can’t take a word of that seriously.

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

Some good points.

Cam
Cam
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

Look Fredaykin, the UK is vastly white, like 86% white! And only 5% max black! And the blacks who live in the uk weren’t brought through slavery like the USA!, they choose and chose to move and live here. We are changing our way of life and what it means to be British and lots are getting fed up with being called racist for pointing it out!

Fedaykin
Fedaykin
3 years ago
Reply to  Cam

It is ‘Fedaykin’ please use my handle correctly, it is well known in the defence Blogo-sphere and I do not appreciate it being changed.

The Blacks in the UK came here through many different means, by in large ultra wealthy people in that community are the minority not the norm.

As I said I don’t agree with all that BLM are doing but the UK does need to face up to its History.

Fedaykin
Fedaykin
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

Don’t try, do! It is ‘Fedaykin’ stop being childish!

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

Often wondered. What is “Fedaykin” ? I looked up the term and there are articles about some sort of fantasy race?

Glass Half Full
Glass Half Full
3 years ago

Oh Daniele – blasphemy. You’ve not read Frank Herbert’s Dune? No matter, yet another attempt at filming the classic is upon us. Hopefully this one will live up to the novels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9xhJrPXop4

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago

No mate! Thanks for relieving my ignorance! As seen in my grav, I’m a Tolkien fantasy sort, not sci fi.

HF
HF
3 years ago

Just listening to Bo Hanson’s 70’s album inspired by it. What a story !

HF
HF
3 years ago

Tolkien fan myself but Dune (at least the first two books) is worth a read. Lots of fantasy elements in it, and an underlying premise to whole story that is brilliant.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  HF

Thank you HF.

Fedaykin
Fedaykin
3 years ago

It shows my love for Frank Herberts Dune, the “Fedaykin” are Paul Maud’Dibs personal and fanatical bodyguard also known as his Death Commandos!

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

Thanks Fedaykin!

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

What a superb overall concept Dune was. MInd you, turned off after the third book.

TrevorH
TrevorH
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

German has its colonial past long before the holocaust. As did Holland Belgium and France.

Fedaykin
Fedaykin
3 years ago
Reply to  TrevorH

And? All those Countries have been facing up to their Colonial past to a greater or lessor degree. They all have a way to go.

Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

France and Belgium are rather well known for not facing up to their past which explains much of their terrible race relations. This country for all its ills actually has been facing up to its past for many years especially at University, academic and media levels, yes there is still far to go and Brexit is not helping matters allowing a minority to gain prominance in their warped opinions, but sadly some will only be happy with continuous self flageration it seems. Meanwhile the official BLM organisation has been itself guilty of promoting anti semitism so perhaps it too needs… Read more »

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

I don’t think Belgium has. Rule in the Congo was brutal.

David
David
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

Why do we need self reflection? The past is the past. We are not the same country we were in colonial times and our citizenry is more affluent now than at any time in our history. Every country has its warts but we need to stop apologizing for our past. Learn from it? – absolutely; no denies mistakes were made – but stop this groveling!! It’s sickening!

Fedaykin
Fedaykin
3 years ago
Reply to  David

That you are asking the question rather shows why the UK needs to do it!

I’m sorry but globally the UK is very much judged by its past, Countries that the UK wishes to trade with like India are vocal in their demands that the UK acknowledges and faces up to its history. That doesn’t mean we roll over and accept every narrative but it does require self reflection and an acceptance that the history exists!

David
David
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

No one is denying our history but we shouldn’t go around continually apologizing for it either.

If you really want to examine our past then we should celebrate all the good that we have done and the contributions we as a nation have made to mankind.

Fedaykin
Fedaykin
3 years ago
Reply to  David

The problem is for many Countries the UK hasn’t even shown a hint of contrition let alone even getting close to making any kind of apology for its past actions!

Talk to someone from India or China and they will laugh at the idea that the UK is continually apologizing for its past actions.

Fedaykin
Fedaykin
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

What about foreign aid to India? Everything you have written there is basically the kind of thing that boils the pee of the average Indian citizen. If the UK wants a meaningful trade deal it will need to wake up to the prevailing view of the public in India, they don’t see Empire with rose tinted glasses and whataboutery from our end doesn’t help!

David
David
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

Boiled pee or not they still take our money! If they were so disgruntled about our colonial past, they would refuse it…. As for trade deals? – when has any country’s public ever been consulted? When well paid jobs start appearing because of said trade deals, the Indian people will gladly forget how we ‘wronged’ them in the past. A trade deal is exactly what it says on the tin – a deal – something for us and something for them.

Fedaykin
Fedaykin
3 years ago
Reply to  David

” the Indian people will gladly forget how we ‘wronged’ them in the past”

Frankly a crushingly naïve idea to hold onto I’m afraid.

John Clark
John Clark
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

That’s a ‘little rich’ India calling out racism, they are ‘the’ original racist culture!

Their cast system keeps people firmly in the gutter…..

David
David
3 years ago
Reply to  John Clark

EXACTLY John! Well said.

Fedaykin
Fedaykin
3 years ago
Reply to  David

I don’t agree with the BLM call for reparations for slavery it is an absurd request, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have cause for complaint.

David
David
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

BLM by their very nature are a racist group. I live in the US and see day after day how when a white person is killed by police – which actually happens more than black people being killed – they remain absolutely silent. Not a chirp. When whites get killed by police the networks such as CNN, MSNBC and the like never cover the story. When blacks kill blacks as happens in cities such as Chicago and Detroit routinely – where are BLM? Nowhere. However, when a cop kills a black man (and before you start I am not condoning… Read more »

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  David

Absolutely ridiculous request. I have a lot of sympathy with various anti-racism campaigns but those demanding reparations for things from hundreds of years ago seem the forget the role of Africans in facilitating the slave trade.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  HF

A sensible view. I agree.

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  David

Not grovelling but in a vast enterprise like ’empire’ there will be bad things that happen, as well as good. Empires are not established to ‘do good’ but to exploit resources.

Sjb1968
Sjb1968
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

Fedaykin you put your argument very well but like the vast majority of Britain’s I personally have nothing to apologise for because the people that gained the most from slavery and the Empire were a very small elite, and by and large their ancestors still run or are very influential in the U.K. The near slave conditions of the UK’s poor (and most of the population) up until the early 20th century seems to be overlooked in the general hand wringing by the establishment and metropolitan elite. I have several black friends and so have my sons and they are… Read more »

John Clark
John Clark
3 years ago
Reply to  Sjb1968

Absolutely, first off, I am sure we can all agree that racism and slavery in all its forms is abhorrent and vile. BLM is a political organisation, it cherry picks the tag lines it finds useful to whip up anger, refines them and rallies support, mainly from people who aren’t that quick on the uptake, no different from many other organisations that have gone before them. The sheeple have always loved a cause to blindly follow! The left wing jumps on board, because it finds a vehicle it can use to manipulate the agenda. The hard left has given up… Read more »

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  John Clark

To be honest, more than the idea that left is in control of the mainstream broadcast media sounds a bit paranoid.

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  Sjb1968

You make a good point about conditions for working people even after the slave trade. As the ever acerbic ‘Flashman’ put it about Wilberforce he was happy to keep taking his dividends from his shares (or something of the like).

The Big Man
The Big Man
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

The 2011 census states that 3.6% of the population (from memory) are black. That does feel like a minority.
Not suggesting anything other than we need to keep this in perspective. Equal opportunities for ALL.

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  Cam

Not sure what this has to do with the point at issue, yet more cuts to the forces and their capabilities by a Tory government

Fedaykin
Fedaykin
3 years ago
Reply to  HF

Well this is currently at rumour stage so we shall see…

TrevorH
TrevorH
3 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

Fair point.

TrevorH
TrevorH
3 years ago
Reply to  HF

Don’t worry a Labour govt will double defence spending…

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  TrevorH

Well, they did initiate the nuclear deterrent, joined the UK in NATO, and when the Korean war began vastly increased defence spending, which eventually became around 10% of GDP.

Dave Wolfy
Dave Wolfy
3 years ago
Reply to  HF

I didn’t know that Churchill was Labour – we do live and learn.

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  Dave Wolfy

You note I said deterrent, not research. Labour also continued in its maintenance and upgrading when in office.

lee1
lee1
3 years ago
Reply to  Cam

I think the world is fully aware of the horrors of what the Nazis did in WW2… Colonialism however is very much mis-taught and misses out huge parts of our history and actions in an attempt to glorify the Empire. I think it is right that we talk about the issues and admit our countries part in a bad time in history. However I also think we should talk about how the Bible actively promotes slavery and acknowledge religions role in it all. Also lets talk about how the Arabs kept hundreds of thousands of slaves, mostly from Russia and… Read more »

Rob Collinson
Rob Collinson
3 years ago
Reply to  lee1

Well said! Some are so ignorant of history and who accept that everything they see in social media is true and inerrant. It is part of our history. Yes, as a country we had a significant part in the slave trade. But few know of the significant act done by enlightened forward thinking giants who got slavery banned in the Empire. If people think slavery is dead – again ignorant. So long as there a inequalities in wealth, the rich will think they can subjugate the poor. Anyone who disagrees is ignorant of the atrocities and depravities of humanity at… Read more »

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  lee1

Some very true points about African involvement which I’ve put, politely, to a journalist who campaigns on the subject and not got a reply.

lee1
lee1
3 years ago
Reply to  Cam

Lewis Hamilton does not claim to be oppressed and has never said Racism stopped him. He says he suffered racism on his way through the ranks. That is not the same thing… How many of our richest citizens are Black? And what proportion of our rich list are Black? Pointing to one or two examples is missing the point.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  lee1

Operation Trident. Aimed at black gangs because black gangs are going round killing each other.

Not aimed at elderly white grannies in Tunbridge Wells, no matter how much some wish it to be so for the sake of equality.

HF
HF
3 years ago

Some of those elderly white grannies are pretty dangerous….

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  HF

I’m sure….!

lee1
lee1
3 years ago
Reply to  lee1

I am sorry, but you have got a lot of things mixed up here. Lewis Hamiltons support of people who are being oppressed, is very different than claiming he himself is oppressed… I largely support the people that are oppressed but I am white and male, very far from being racially abused on a daily basis and even further away from being oppressed for the colour of my skin… As for systematic racism. It can raise its head in many ways. In the US it is quite out in the open, in the UK it is not on the surface… Read more »

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  lee1

Most of them don’t give a tuppeny damn for the people who makes this country work. As long as they can keep things running for their benefit that’s fine. They can then moan about people ‘not working hard enough’, or ‘not taking advantages of their opportunities’ as the old school tie helps them along the way. The days of decent ‘one nation’ tories has given way to the grabbers, hustlers and greedy who look down on anyone who isn’t as selfish as they are. (Mini rant over).

dan
dan
3 years ago
Reply to  Cam

Try and keep comments on the topic please.

David Flandry
David Flandry
3 years ago
Reply to  Cam

Almost every culture has racism and slavery in its history. The word slave derives from “slav”, when people north of the Black Sea were captured for slavery hundred of years BCE. Arabs captured Europeans as slaves up to the 19th century. When Britain banned the slave trade and then banned slavery in 1833, an African king complained to Queen Victoria that she had deprived him and his people of wealth. I’m so sick of this one-sided discussion. I came here to decry the defense budget, not listen to

Darren hall
Darren hall
3 years ago
Reply to  Cam

AWAC to Racism…
whilst I may agree, not the place…

Darren hall
Darren hall
3 years ago
Reply to  Darren hall

Frustration of what is happening in the world… as I said, I may agree but this IMHO ain’t the platform…
Stay positive, the sun came up again today, that’s always a good start to the day.

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  Darren hall

And sucked me into it as well ! 🙂

dan
dan
3 years ago
Reply to  Cam

And people forget what the Russians did to the German civilians at the end of the war…..

Robert Blay
Robert Blay
3 years ago
Reply to  Cam

It’s more capable now than it’s ever been. Just smaller, but the quality and capability of our equipment today is far superior to anything we had in the 80’s and 90’s, and far more deployable, and sustainable. We need to look beyond simple numbers of regiments, SQN’s and warships compared to yesteryear. We used to have a lot more kit yes, but also a lot more crap that wasn’t fit for purpose in many ways.

JohnHartley
JohnHartley
3 years ago

Better not cut Sentinel then.

JohnHartley
JohnHartley
3 years ago
Reply to  JohnHartley

defense-aerospace.com says the reason for the cut, is that the price for 5, went up from $1.98 billion to $2.68 billion. A $700 million increase.

Harry Bulpit
Harry Bulpit
3 years ago

Given that we require at least 1 for uk air space policing, that leaves two spare. Now given that istar support is supposed to be are crucial contribution to NATO NATO what does this decision show. Can you really question why any nation would be hesitant to have us as an allie when we show such little support for our own armed forces.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  Harry Bulpit

By my understanding this would mean just 1 available, and surely UK only.

Hopefully no truth in it or part of a wider move where additional unmanned are procured? Are there any in use? Like Tritons or Global Hawk types as a ASCS?

Harry Bulpit
Harry Bulpit
3 years ago

Yeah at least 1 would have to be in maintenance. That leaves no spare and 1 available for all British and NATO commitments.

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
3 years ago

Australia is purchasing Triton, are we intending to do the same I wonder?

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/australia-to-receive-first-three-triton-hale-uavs-by-2025

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

I thought the Tritons were for wide area ocean surveillance alongside their P8s?

AWACs or ASCS is a different kettle of fish.

Harry Bulpit
Harry Bulpit
3 years ago

Tritons are indeed designed for visual surveillance and Australia is purchasing them for maritime patrol.

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  Harry Bulpit

They can’t all be available all the time. I would imagine 5 would have given at least 2, possibly 3, available at all times.

Harry Bulpit
Harry Bulpit
3 years ago
Reply to  HF

I think given are focus on maintenance and the air frame being a 737 model I could imagine a high service rate with the type. However 1 is always bound to be invaluable.

GWM
GWM
3 years ago
Reply to  Harry Bulpit

There’s going to be a compromise due to US pushback, we will get 4 which is OK.Never been a fan of this plane, the radar is good but an old design and will probably be subject to obsolescence issues before the end of the decade which is why the Australians are all ready looking at a future replacement.We should have bought some of the SAAB planes they may be a bit small for the RAF but have UK content and would have been ok as an interim solution until a new NATO option is developed.

Robert Blay
Robert Blay
3 years ago
Reply to  Harry Bulpit

We only operated 3 E3 sentries today. And so far, the RAF hasn’t fallen apart without them.

Robert Blay
Robert Blay
3 years ago
Reply to  Robert Blay

It’s more the expeditionary deployments that might suffer more, but again, I don’t think we have used an E3 over Syria/Iraq recently, but I could be wrong.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  Robert Blay

Good point. I was comparing with the original 7 E3s.

Would it be possible to have 3 purely for UKADR and a UAV type for expeditionary work? Maybe one is in the works?

Harry Bulpit
Harry Bulpit
3 years ago

That being said is their any official source on this ridiculous reduction, besides a tweet?

Paul42
Paul42
3 years ago

I sincerely hope this is untrue, it woukd be a clear example of gross stupidity at its worst. Any individual serving in a senior military post who genuinely believes this to be acceptable needs replacing…..

Daveyb
Daveyb
3 years ago

Is this announcement in the same light as the Army’s: “we are cancelling Challenger 2 due to required cost savings”? The RAF’s E3Ds are on their last legs, they suffer from a very high maintenance burden/poor availability and the radar system is several steps behind the current French and US versions. It is however, closer to the NATO aircraft. The E3D as a platform still is very good a detecting aircraft etc, but suffers against small stealthy targets, such as cruise missiles, drones etc. The E7A Wedgetail, is a significant step change in not only performance but also capability over… Read more »

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  Daveyb

I’m inclined to agree. It’s about time we had some RAF sided leaks, rumours, to go with the RN carriers and EM and the armies armour.

To me, ISTAR in all forms is a massive capability enhancer, a growth area, and niche capability the UK is well provided for.

Cut Typhoon squadrons before key enablers.

farouk
farouk
3 years ago

Whats the problem Daniele . Our Politicians know better than the rest of us, they (i have been well informed) have planned for the future defence of the country. The army and Navy will be combined and the future numbers will be a world class rowing boat, built in Turkey which will be crewed by a black, non binary LGBT+2 person armed with the latest iteration of the SA80, (But due to health and safety will not be issued with any bullets) Due to climate change the boat will not be fitted with an engine. The airforce will consist of… Read more »

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  farouk

Sadly, your joke and sarcasm is not far off Farouk.

John Fedup
John Fedup
3 years ago
Reply to  farouk

Oh great, you have just provided a draft white paper that our idiot Canadian PM junior can utilize albeit it will likely require some further cost reductions.

DJ
DJ
3 years ago
Reply to  John Fedup

Reduce the number of oars from two to one?

Hogstable
Hogstable
3 years ago
Reply to  DJ

Fitted for not with oars.

Please keep up …???

Hope you have a nice day

BB85
BB85
3 years ago
Reply to  Daveyb

I think it’s likely true, if it’s not supporting British jobs it’s and easy capability to reduce. The problem is Boeing will turn around and day the R&D required to integrate it in the new airframe means they wont be saving much and def not 20% of the current contract amount.

Meirion X
Meirion X
3 years ago
Reply to  BB85

The RAF will end up paying the same amount to Boing, but with less airframes! No lessons learnt from T45, then? This time, the decision will have Cumming’s finger prints all over it!

Pete
Pete
3 years ago
Reply to  BB85

Or 40% ??

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
3 years ago

Filling a capability gap is the key.

Next-generation aircraft are not that far away now so do you keep investing in aircraft that will be superseded within the next ten years or limit the intended purchase order to fill that gap in the short term?

A possible replacement on the cards maybe?

21 SEPTEMBER 2020

“JAIC Smart Sensor plays key role in USAF advanced ISR pod prototype”

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/jaic-smart-sensor-plays-key-role-in-usaf-advanced-isr-pod-prototype

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
3 years ago

And we might not be alone!

“The US Air Force (USAF) is likely to make major aircraft platform cuts in the next couple of years as it reorganises for near-peer competition against nations such as China or Russia, according to a report from the service’s new chief of staff.”

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/new-us-air-force-chief-of-staff-forecasts-aircraft-platform-cuts

Harry Bulpit
Harry Bulpit
3 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

The USAF have had a long standing issue in that they have to many aircraft types, multiple of which can perform overlapping tasks. They alsonhave many legacy aircraft from as early as the 1950s. This puts a major logistical, and financial burden on them. Which intern impacts their operational effectiveness.

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
3 years ago
Reply to  Harry Bulpit

I totally agree with you Harry which is why they are investing in next-gen solutions to keep an advantage over potential peer enemies and clearly what we should be doing.

You can’t keep funding both!

“AFA 2020: US Air Force flies Next-Generation Air Dominance flight demonstrator”

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/afa-2020-us-air-force-flies-next-generation-air-dominance-flight-demonstrator

Harry Bulpit
Harry Bulpit
3 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

It is of course vital to maintain a lead in technology. But unfortunately these things don’t happen over time and America should have the resources and money to experiment and implement them. Where as it would be to risky for us to complete disregard all traditional assets for the latest in technology and theory as it would leave us venerable to failure.

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
3 years ago
Reply to  Harry Bulpit

And therein lies the problem, we don’t have those financial resources, so a cheaper option has to be found in the short term to fill our current capability gaps while investing what monies we have on future projects like Tempest.

Let’s wait and see if there is any truth in this post anyway!

Harry Bulpit
Harry Bulpit
3 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Tempest isn’t an awacs aircraft nor is the e7 a stop gap. It’s is the latest and greatest and we need it in numbers and we need them now.

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
3 years ago
Reply to  Harry Bulpit

Note, “future projects like Tempest”

As reported by Waddi below.

“In a nutshell, the report says that new missile technology is in danger of making much of the RAFs inventory vulnerable.

ISTAR fleets would have to stand off outside their effective sensor range during the initial stages of combat operations, rendering them less useful.”

https://rusi.org/publication/occasional-papers/combat-air-choices-uk-government

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
3 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

We have to make budgetary adjustments sadly which no doubt will see a reduction in planned orders in certain areas, but the smart play will be looking to find a suitable cost-effective replacement short term and focus our efforts on the long. We can speculate all we want, but the proof of the pudding will be in the next defence review, hopefully, the reduction in numbers will not in fact be the case. The ability to track low observable objects at greater range by both Russia & China is causing the west a great deal of concern so we have… Read more »

Harry Bulpit
Harry Bulpit
3 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Will commence in 2029. So you will likely not see a physical prototype till 2035. Sorry no excuse we need wedgtail and in numbers.

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
3 years ago
Reply to  Harry Bulpit

That’s correct. as the article states. Personally, given the threat posed from the continuing advancements in Radar Technology and the cost per aircraft unmanned drones might just be a better solution in contested airspace rather than risk the loss of both the Wedgetail and its crew? As I have said, let’s wait and see the outcome from the defence review. I fully understand your point of view by the way! This might be a possible answer? It should be a very interesting decade, especially in the next five years! “Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Air Vice-Marshal Catherine Roberts said the… Read more »

DJ
DJ
3 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

I would also point out that Australia was the lead customer & received its first operational plane in 2009. In 2029, it will be 20 years old. By late 2030’s (2039), it will be 30 years old. I see nothing unusual in expecting to be replacing 30 year old military aircraft. If Australia is prepared to be a lead customer again (rather than buying off the shelf), then 2029 seems a likely starting point.

Meirion X
Meirion X
3 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

The USAF will need to keep the B52’s in the air, until the B21’s come in service, if that is the plan?

Daveyb
Daveyb
3 years ago
Reply to  Meirion X

The B21 is not replacing the B52 but the B1 and to some degree supplementing the B2s.

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
3 years ago
Reply to  Robert Blay

@ Robert Blay “How do you spot a troll? Trolls are easy to recognize by their mode of operation. They will never compliment you for a smart statement, or admit that your question is difficult to respond to, or tone down the rhetoric with a smiley emoticon. Trolls accuse and insult. Trolls needle you relentlessly.” By his own admission. “The answer is in the article you shared Nigel. please see below. What are you like 16 or something. you’ll have to do better then that. See you at the next F35 story, I’ll be looking out for you. ?” “??… Read more »

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
3 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Social media offences.

“Trolling is a form of baiting online which involves sending abusive and hurtful comments across all social media platforms. This can be prosecuted under the Malicious Communication Act 1988 and the Communications Act 2003.

Online harassment can include repeated attempts to impose unwanted communications or contact in a manner that could be expected to cause distress or fear.”

https://www.cps.gov.uk/crime-info/cyber-online-crime

Robert Blay
Robert Blay
3 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

And I could share some pretty tasty comments you have sent my way Nigel. But I’m not that sensitive. Maybe you should think twice before you send your posts, and realise you are opening your self up to criticism, and not everyone will agree with your own defense views. And admit, that you might be occasionally wrong.

Robert Blay
Robert Blay
3 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Yeah, but you always reply though Nigel. Do you call everyone who disagrees with you a troll. Free speech Nigel, free speech.

clive
clive
3 years ago

I agree with Daveyb. I haven’t seen any official announcements so presume this is another of the myriad of rumours that always precede a defence review. Perhaps an option that is being considered along with lots of others. Some get great media attention like the rumour about Challengers being scrapped, others don’t and we never hear of them. At this time, each service is fighting its corner so eager to ‘leak’ options that they do not like. An option is just that; it is a choice and the consequences of that option are studied. Many will be taken no further,… Read more »

Gareth
Gareth
3 years ago

You’ve got to wonder sometimes which country these decision makers actually work for. Given recent revelations about Tory party doners being close associates of Putin, such decision making is perhaps not wholly a mystery.

HF
HF
3 years ago
Reply to  Gareth

Not unlike Russia’s Manchurian President in the USA, who’d rather believe Putin than his own intelligence services.

farouk
farouk
3 years ago
Reply to  Gareth

The Tories have shown time and time again that they are happy to stab you in their back in which to line their pockets,

Robert Blay
Robert Blay
3 years ago
Reply to  Gareth

We have a large black hole in our equipment budget. It’s basic finances. To buy everything we want we have to either spend more, which given the massive hit to the economy due to COVID-19 probably isn’t going to happen, or we cut somthing back.

Gareth
Gareth
3 years ago
Reply to  Robert Blay

I would find that more credible if we hadn’t witnessed years of cuts to the armed forces (including the disastrous 2010 SDR) before now. Coronavirus or no coronavirus, our national security has routinely been compromised to save money such that we have very little strategic depth should a major conflict arise. The COVID-19 pandemic just gives them more ammunition for excuse making.

Robert Blay
Robert Blay
3 years ago
Reply to  Gareth

I understand we’re you are coming from, but the money doesn’t just come out of thin air, and modern military equipment is very expensive these day’s. We’ll see what happens.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  Robert Blay

I can agree with both sides during your exchange with Gareth,Robert.

As for money. The UK is one of the worlds biggest economies. If HMG wanted to they could allocate more to defence, rather than keeping it strangled. They choose not to.

That is a political choice.

And that has occurred with the Labour government 1997 to 2010 and the current Tory one.

Robert Blay
Robert Blay
3 years ago

I agree it is a political choice, but nearly every country has cut back massively during the last 30 years, even the Americans. I guess we haven’t had a direct threat to the UK mainland, except in a terrorism form, and we have been fighting a land locked insurgency war for the last 19 years in one form or another. And that has required a certain type of capability, which unfortunately has come at the expense of other capabilitys. Is Russia and China the big threat they are made out to be, I’m not so sure, but they certainly can’t… Read more »

Glass Half Full
Glass Half Full
3 years ago
Reply to  Robert Blay

Hi Robert, that sums it up very nicely, here’s the TL;DR version:- “UK defence spending is trying to dig itself out of 15 years of peace dividend under-spending, overlapped with 15 years of insurgency spending largely irrelevant to the needs of peer and near-peer deterrence, overlapped with 10 years of great recession recovery. Now further threatened by 2/3 of a year of pandemic.” We at least have very low UK government borrowing rates available to us, that used judiciously can help mitigate the worst effects of the pandemic, help the broader economy recover and perhaps largely maintain most defence programs.… Read more »

Jonathan
Jonathan
3 years ago
Reply to  Robert Blay

Yes it’s all a balance, spending on tax based costs such as defence vs Ecconomic growth. I think a lot of people forget how the west defeated the Soviet Union. The west ( well Ronald Reagan’s administration) forced the Soviet Union to overspend in defence to keep competitive, it destroyed its fragile centralised Economy so ended the Soviet Union. Most nations and empires tend to fall due to socio economic stress, military defeat tends to be a symptom of this not the cause. Defence spending is important, but it’s generally dead money …..until you need it. Like most complex risks… Read more »

farouk
farouk
3 years ago

Whats the problem the money saved can be used to provide homes for our new loyal citizens who will be afforded everything they want for free. Not only that but the British taxpayer will also fund their holidays to the very countries they claim to have run away from.

Meirion X
Meirion X
3 years ago
Reply to  farouk

It would be a very good investment to build a floating barrier in the E. Channel then!

Phillip
Phillip
3 years ago

I’m assuming that the government isn’t aware of the phrase “false economy”, or else they’d see that buying less of something means you have to work what you have bought harder, and therefore it will last less time before needing to be repaired and replaced, which will be more expensive than simply purchasing what you committed to in the first place.

Forgive me for stating the obvious.

Meirion X
Meirion X
3 years ago
Reply to  Phillip

I very much agree Phillip!
I will end up costing more in the end, like the T45’s.
But this time with Cumming’s finger prints!

Paul T
Paul T
3 years ago
Reply to  Meirion X

Ive just had a quick look at the cost of these,Gavin Williamson signed a contract for a shade under £2 Billion,so reducing the order to 3 might save around £800 million,not enough for a Squadron of Typhoons or F35’s but still quite a fair chunk of money.

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
3 years ago
Reply to  Paul T

The unit cost of Triton is US$120.689m (FY15) US$182.378m (inc R&D)
Global Hawk costs around US$100m if they were suitable replacements to fill the gap if it indeed happensof course?

Alabama boy
Alabama boy
3 years ago

I hope this is another kite being flown in advance of the SDSR which is due in Nov. Having worked on the original justification for 7 E3’s many years ago I never felt 5 E 7s were sufficient but were really all we could afford regardless of the capability claims for the new aircraft. When war fighting or in a prolonged a period of tension requiring a true 24 hour/ day coverage over several weeks, numbers of air frames and crews become very important. In such circumstances anything less than 5 E7s would leave a significant capability gap if we… Read more »

r cummings
r cummings
3 years ago
Reply to  Alabama boy

5 is already wafer-thin. One will be in the garage/squadron reserve, one in deep maintenance/training/war reserve, the remaining 3 mears one airborne some of the time.
Three would be a feeble joke, militarily insignificant and undermine our defence

Bearing in mind that we have just had a major 20% cut due to the 2015 SDSR, which is adversely affecting every branch of every service, further cuts are a complete non-starter and would cement the Conservatives as a party that simply cannot be trusted on defence and national security.

Waddi
Waddi
3 years ago

The following is from a recent RUSI publication will post the link below, may help explain this possible move? “A large-scale culling of non-penetrating mobility and ISTAR fleets and acquisition programmes in order to increase combat air funding over the next decade could make sense within the context of an Integrated Review which announced a specific focus on fielding credible high-intensity warfighting capabilities as a framework nation within NATO. In the context of deterring Russian aggression in Eastern Europe, or SEAD/DEAD operations against near-peer states, many existing ISTAR fleets would have to stand off outside their effective sensor range during… Read more »

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  Waddi

The problem with that is the likes of Puma, Hercules and other assets are used day in day out in non peer on peer roles, be it humanitarian, transport, or in support of SF. Puma is used in Iraq and Afghanistan. It could also be used in the UK obviously.

We end up with a military unusable for anything except full on war as the non peer compatible stuff is cut.

They are just excuses to cut IMO.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago

Just read the article. Very interesting. The elephant in the room, as always, is that HMG will not supply enough money to the armed forces, at officially 2% ( which we all know to be less by their accounting tricks ) yet wants to grandstand on the world stage as part of NATO and alongside the US as a UNSC P5 member. It always comes back to this. If HMG allocated just a few billions more each year, ongoing, this sort of funding crisis would reduce considerably. The choice seems to be Typhoon funding, Tempest, or F35. But not all… Read more »

Waddi
Waddi
3 years ago

I agree entirely. I also took away just how capable the S400 and forthcoming S500 appear to be.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  Waddi

Yes, thanks for sharing it.

Maybe we should buy some! 1957 all over again..

Meirion X
Meirion X
3 years ago
Reply to  Waddi

Some of the Typhoon T1’s are trainers, twin seaters could be used for the OCU.

Graham
Graham
3 years ago
Reply to  Meirion X

The 16 Tranche 1 twins have been scrapped for ‘reduce to produce’ spare parts the only Typhoon twins seaters are the six Tranche 2 aircraft. Nearly all the training is simulator based now.

Harry Bulpit
Harry Bulpit
3 years ago
Reply to  Waddi

The article you quote isn’t worth much in my opinion. The author seems to neglect that most aireal missions are not conducted in or even near hostile airspace. In a time of war ISTAR, Transport, and basic combat aircraft are as important if not more so then high end strike aircraft.

NickC
NickC
3 years ago

As has been said numerous times, this is probably kite flying in advance of the review. If it is implemented it will leave a big hole in capability, and assets such as E7 are just as useful, if not more so in non peer to peer conflict as they are when we have a full blown face off with Russia or China. If the final two are pulled rom the programme the big winners will be Marshalls at Cambridge, who have the contract to refurbish and fit out the two aircraft, which I think are second hand. They have been… Read more »

Robert Blay
Robert Blay
3 years ago

I’d take any of these stories with a pinch of salt until the review is published.

Glass Half Full
Glass Half Full
3 years ago
Reply to  Robert Blay

I see you your pinch and raise you with the full salt shaker. Ben Wallace has already said since all the rumours, that the UK will upgrade Challenger, which seems a pretty solid rebuttal this close to the review.

Robert Blay
Robert Blay
3 years ago

? yep, I agree. I think we will see some cuts, but not as bad as is often made out. We’ll see. ?

Jonathan
Jonathan
3 years ago

I’ve got a full 5kg sack of table salt to you shaker….

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
3 years ago

Can someone please take Dominic Cummmings out the back and shot him please. Utter madness. I give up with the unelected quangos in government.
Ask the military what they need, they will say more investment not less with a resurgent and confrontational Russia and China to guard against.

Jonathan
Jonathan
3 years ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

I don’t think we are allowed to do that anymore Mr Bell.

Although I do think he should have been sacked for utterly fuching up the governments public health messaging during what is the worst public health crisis in a century.

Mark B
Mark B
3 years ago

I suspect that if this was a wholly British product we would not be having this discussion.

We need our own defence industry. We also need a trade deal which is good for both sides.

Rob
Rob
3 years ago

3 aircraft means that there is absolutely no reserve if one is shot down. In a conflict one lucky shot takes out the whole of the UK’s AEW capability. Australia, a much smaller economy, will have more than us.

Crazy.

Steve
Steve
3 years ago

Wasn’t the idea for there to be 3 new air frames and 2 old ones, i wonder if this is just mixed up messages and not actually a cut.

julian1
julian1
3 years ago
Reply to  Steve

Could they at least use 5 2nd hand airframes assuming that this provides some cost savings?

Mark F
Mark F
3 years ago

So project Astra is full steam ahead much as I fear this is just the beginning. Transport fleet next C17 is on the cards. Pumas are a dead cert.

Alabama boy
Alabama boy
3 years ago
Crabfat
Crabfat
3 years ago
Reply to  Alabama boy

Thanks AB. on the same link there’s a piece headed –
“LONDON — Britain is stepping up its military support in Ukraine with an announcement that the U.K. will lead a multinational maritime initiative to train the Ukrainian navy.”

So, ostensibly, we can’t afford assets to protect our own sovereignty, yet we are using what we’ve got to assist another (non-NATO) country.

And to what end? If the Bear decided to ‘do another Crimea’ the UK and rest of the world would just stand back and watch.

You really couldn’t make it up…

David T
David T
3 years ago
Reply to  Crabfat

I suspect that the drop in Ukraine makes up for the cancellation of the annual drop over Arnhem, cancelled due to Covid risk for the spectators.. The maroon machine must keep up its jump count.

dan
dan
3 years ago

The Brits are going down the same round the Germans did. So sad.

Anthony Thrift
Anthony Thrift
3 years ago

This is stupid, what is the government thinking, given the importance of the UK’s role within NATO and their role throughout Europe. For christ sake the RAAF operates more E7’s then the RAF, our E3’s are out of date, are we going to buy the SAAB alternative and operate a mixed force

Jonathan
Jonathan
3 years ago

It’s a non story guys….my mother’s brothers aunt told their dog than an MP they new thought p……It’s just a bit of postering. But please how on earth did this post half fill with comments on race, national guilt, empire etc etc….it’s not even an a piece about anything related to that…. I’m sure if you all want a blow out argument, someone could ask the nice Mr Allison to do a piece on say “the impact of British imperialism on modern geopolitical balance” or “the successes and failures of British post imperial foreign and defence policy”. I will join… Read more »

Robert Blay
Robert Blay
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonathan

I thought the same. How did Lewis Hamilton get involved in a story about E7’s ?

Jonathan
Jonathan
3 years ago
Reply to  Robert Blay

I have have no idea, it may have been one of the most off on a tangent conversation strings I have ever seen on this site and lets be honest as a group of commentators we do tend to all drift in odd directions…..but the E7s Numbers being cut moving to a formula one driver….I literally have no idea….anyone want a game of monkey tennis……

Nigel Trew
Nigel Trew
3 years ago

This decision is very short sighted. We are in a new cold war situation with China and Russia but the government are turning a blind eye to it from my perspective. Defence spending should be increased to 5% for the next 10 years at least. All our armed services are too small, especially the RN. The surface fleet needs 12 X type 26 and 8 X type 31 with another 4 bigger type 45s with greater capacity for missiles. Bringing the surface fleet up to 30, this is the minimum size not a maximum. The Army would be hard pressed… Read more »

Andy
Andy
3 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Trew

Nothing to do with Thatcher, I think you mean the end of the cold War peace dividend. So in 1985 defence spending was 5.3% of GDP in 1997 it was 3.5% of GDP in 2001 it was 2.8% of GDP , 2008 2.3% of GDP, 2011 2.2% and 2019 2.1% But the figures from 2011 are not relevant to the previous figures because of the Boy George packing the defence budget with things like pensions, MI5, MI6 and GCHQ costs and the replacement cost for Vanguard. If you remove those things he added actual defence spending is 1.7% of GDP… Read more »

Bill
Bill
3 years ago

So as soon as we get our MPA’s back, something else critical goes to ratshit.
Same old same old. We’ll never change.

clive
clive
3 years ago

Same source says reduction to 4 has been discussed with Boeing. MOD spokesman said that it was usual to have discussions with suppliers about cost savings when appropriate. Not denying report as ‘pure speculation’ so I suspect MOD have had talks about reducing costs with Boeing. As is usual with this kind of thing it may be that the most drastic option was pushed to the journalist for whatever reason, but other ways of cost reduction could be being discussed…all secondhand frames, equipment changes, mitigating exchange rate fluctuations by more work in UK etc, with MOD holding out the option… Read more »

Geoffrey Roach
Geoffrey Roach
3 years ago

…apparent cut. anybody actually know anything?

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  Geoffrey Roach

Speculation Geoffrey. Let’s see.

JH posted further up a big cost increase for 5 which may be behind these stories.

David T
David T
3 years ago

Get the Germans to put their hands in their deep pockets

Mark
Mark
3 years ago
Reply to  David T

Why should the Germans pay for a UK defence procurement?

David T
David T
3 years ago
Reply to  Mark

How many wagtails are the Germans buying? or the French and the rest?
Three is enough for us if we look after ourselves as priority.

Mark
Mark
3 years ago
Reply to  David T

The French have 4 E3’s, and NATO 14. Don’t know if there’s any replacement planned, but haven’t they had upgrades that the RAF ones haven’t?

Also for “Global Britain”, if you are intending to support Allies, you might want to be looking at having more than just the bare minimum to cover the UK with nothing spare for deployment I would have thought.

Again, this is a UK program with no international partners involved, the costs are for the UK alone.

David T
David T
3 years ago
Reply to  Mark

We have Sentry and will get Wedgetail to cover our own Global Britain interests. We pay the biggest European % £ for Nato so a chunk of the Nato-Otan planes are ours as well. Happy to support Allies who pull their weight.

Mark
Mark
3 years ago
Reply to  David T

Your Sentry’s are going away, 3 Wedgetails are if you factor in service and training barely enough to cover the UK. And how exactly do you think they are yours?

Glass Half Full
Glass Half Full
3 years ago

So while we digest yet another rumour in defence review silly season it is interesting, at least to me, to speculate on where ISTAR might be going. In the space domain, its likely in future we will have far more pervasive, robust and survivable satellite surveillance from high satellite count LEO networks. A lot of work going on in this area in the US, both leveraging commercial networks such as Starlink and OneWeb as well as dedicated LEO defence networks. In the air domain perhaps we might see Taranis or similar developed into an attritable long range, persistent, low observable… Read more »

Barry Larking
Barry Larking
3 years ago

Someone has decided there will be no major or minor conflict in Europe that envisages the United Kingdom ‘standing alone’. There is also the question of technological advances that makes, or soon will make, placing personnel in a tube re-breathing air for many hours unnecessary.

Ron
Ron
3 years ago

Is three E7s enough, No, the Uk has commitments all over the world. Theoretically we need a few AWACS in Cyprus, possibly some in Oman plus NATO and home defence commitments. Its not only the E7s that could take a hit but remember Sentinel is to be scrapped as well. It seems that the complete intel fleet is being reduced to nothing but its intel that win battles. We either need a larger defence budget possibly 5% for ten years for equipment buildout reducing to 3% or we need to reduce our commitments. I sometimes wonder if it might be… Read more »

OldSchool
OldSchool
3 years ago

Oh God Political Correctness about the Ol’ Empire again. IF one wants such left-wing bias rubbish please head to the Philby Burgess & Mclean luvvies at the GUARDIAN. The BE wasn’t perfect but it was a damn sight better than what came before or after.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  OldSchool

Lots of it lurking here I’m afraid Old School.

Barry Larking
Barry Larking
3 years ago
Reply to  OldSchool

Nothing makes the British Empire look quite so good as what came after it. I remember sitting in cinemas (if you could find a seat that had not been slashed) watching black and white newsreels of distant sunny locations where the natives broke off throwing stones at squadies long enough to scrawl ‘British Go Home’ on a sun-baked wall. Well, we came home and they followed us. To escape home rule.

Damo
Damo
3 years ago
Reply to  OldSchool

So, the Guardian for left wing rubbish and UKDJ for right wing rubbish? Good to know.

David T
David T
3 years ago

Discussion on potential cuts must include the fact that Mr Cameron scrapped our flagship and sacked our ground attack pilots and planes under the cover of ‘Austerity’ measures. The reality was, he then went and spent extra billions on extra Foreign Aid instead. For some reason, the crowd in the Westminster have not rolled this back to what it was before despite public opinion being for this. Until this happens, short of funds, we will have a fleet of harbour queens and the RAF and Fleet air arm will have to keep every airframe they have flying. Some of our… Read more »

Mark
Mark
3 years ago
Reply to  David T

Spoiler, you could give all the Foreign Aid budget to the MOD, it wouldn’t change anything, also do keep up the Foreign Office has already consumed the International Aid Department, so it’s their money now.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago
Reply to  David T

Agree with the overall lament on Cameron. I support overseas aid myself due to the soft power benefits but if an amount of it went to MoD instead I would not complain. Also, oft forgotten but of the 3 front line Harrier squadrons 2 were actually cut by Labour the year before, numbers 3 and 4 Sqns, while announcing the closure of Cottesemore. Made the culling of a single squadron fast jet type easier. A few years before JFH consisted of 1,3,4,20R, and 800,801,899NAS, 7 squadrons. All bar one scrapped by Labour. People often forget ( conveniently for some )… Read more »

RobW
RobW
3 years ago

It’s seems this is down to Boeing increasing the price from $1.9bn to $2.7bn for the 5 Wedgetails. If that is true I’d like to know why we signed a contract that allowed them to increase the price like this.

Talks about reducing our order have been going in for months according to some sources. It’s hardly surprising given the cost increase.

Mark
Mark
3 years ago
Reply to  RobW

How much of that cost is the fall in value of the Pound against the Dollar?

RobW
RobW
3 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Not much, the pound has fallen 4% against the dollar over the last year and is on par with where it was 2 years ago.

Alabama boy
Alabama boy
3 years ago
Reply to  RobW

On reading around on this subject I agree with RobW that this is more a procurement issue than on directly related to the SDSR. But I cannot image the MOD going back to the Government at this time for more money for a contract they only just signed. So they have to find a way of bring the cost back to that announced or find compensating savings elsewhere. Given that Marshall’s couldn’t accept the Boeing price to carryout the conversions I’d guess the cost of the conversions was underestimated at the first round. Conversion of second hand airframes is notoriously… Read more »

David Barry
David Barry
3 years ago

Now that Sunak has put the budget to bed until next year, perhaps the unofficil leaks will desist. I really am not sure it is helpful to continue this practice – in times past when the Blimp would hurruf to the Times or Telegraph or the Admiral would grandstand in the House of Lords, it might have made some sense to be seen to be impacting on public opinion. In these times, how many give a stuff about defense? Now, if the leaks were X new orders would create Y new employment and Z growth, perhaps people would get behind… Read more »

John Hampson
John Hampson
3 years ago

I have posted this before but still valid and could help reduce cost for AEW. “Here’s an idea. Boeing has about 400 +/-, 737 Max planes in storage. The probability is these planes may never get permission to carry passengers. That’s if any passengers would trust flying in them. Why not buy a couple of dozen at bargain basement prices and convert them to missile trucks for F-35’s or basic Patrol/Strike/Ground Support aircraft.” EU aviation regulators have scheduled flight tests for Boeing’s troubled 737 Max plane. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said the tests would take place in… Read more »

Klonkie
Klonkie
3 years ago

I’m interested in understanding how the RAF/Government arrived at the number of 5 to start with. Is this a legacy thing or based on a scoped need vs platform capability? Clearly budget is a big factor. The French Air Force has operated only 4 AWACS platforms for several years. What has their experience been in terms of meeting operational requirements?

I’m no expert, but an RAF reduction to 3 platforms seems really light.

r cummings
r cummings
3 years ago
Reply to  Klonkie

The numbers needed in a aquadron follow a standard pattern. For every 4 front line aircraft, there will be one in squadron reserve/in the garage, one in war reserve/deep maintenance and, simplifying here, one covering training/attrition reserve. With the original 7 Sentrys, 4 would have been front line with a 5th available at fairly short notice. As no aircraft and crew are airborne for 8 hours, . anywhere near 24/7 AWACS coverage would need the full 7 aircraft. 5 cuts you down to 3 front line, which is obviously wafer-thin. 3 cuts you to 2 front line, which becomes rather… Read more »

Alabama boy
Alabama boy
3 years ago
Reply to  Klonkie

The French only bought 4 aircraft and the UK 7 each to meet its National operating requirements. The UK must have given up on their original operating requirements for AEW operations which required 7 aircraft and have resorted to buying only what the budget will allow regardless of the real requirement – the P8 purchase is another example of this. The Government will never admit this and keep talking about quality of individual platforms but not spatial disposition of the threat and the real numbers required to counter this threat. Of course the Government can decide it will not go… Read more »

dan
dan
3 years ago

Brits going down the same road as the Germans. Hoping someone else will provide the capability and protect them. Ugh

Simon m
Simon m
3 years ago

Seeing as this is a supposedly military site and not question time. I would just like to stay on topic and comment these are vital assets & I don’t believe that only three will be ordered the “journalist” that broke this story is the one & the same that broke the story that we were losing all MBTs. This was denied by the secretary of defence & as this is as far fetched as that story I take it with a huge pinch of salt. That being said I certainly don’t think we should overpay for this capability & there… Read more »

A. Smith
A. Smith
3 years ago

One would think that in relation to the safety and security of this nation, the UK Government would look at various options, put the contract out to tender, analyse and review the bids, play various defence companies against each other to get the best deal, highest capability and for the lowest price…. and what did they do? The complete opposite.

This Government is moving from one procurement disaster to another and at the same time, making our country less safe and wasting more and more billions of tax payer’s money.

A. Smith
A. Smith
3 years ago
Reply to  A. Smith

Couldn’t we have repurposed 5+ BAE 146 aircraft and added radars onto them to save costs?