SW1 wrote: ↑11 Jan 2023, 18:59
In future the army then has GD looking after its heavy brigades with Abrams and Ajax and Bae the medium with boxer.
So you want to replace CR2/CR3 by Abrams? Instead of upgrading current UK fleet, you want to buy upgraded current US tank as there is no more new Abrams? Why? What are you getting? They will not be built in UK as they already are existing, and they not be upgraded in the UK. They could have some British stuff inside but not nearly as CR3, so benefit for UK industry would be much less. And by 2040 they would either need replacement or new major upgrade just like CR3 would need. So what is a point, except drop money down the drain to refurbish all the tanks and IFVs for Ukraine and then spend even more money, literally twice as much, on the vehicle that does not provide significant if any improvement over CR3.
SW1 wrote: ↑11 Jan 2023, 20:36
Additional cash from within the defence budget (not having to support and maintain existing kit and funds allocated form the normal equipment budget in future years)
Yes, additional cash in budget is so easy to find especially with so many competitive projects by Armed Force. I mean, for example, there is question of funding Type 32 frigates, but there must be some money for new tanks for sure. On top of previous budget for new tank from last year. Way on top of that.
And getting rid of the old equipment will definitely only benefit and not create issues like providing all those units that will lost equipment with proper stuff so they can do their task. It definitely will not create a need to obtain temporary replacement like buying or ranting vehicles (which someone could consider wasting money btw), especially in the case if order is delayed for whatever reason. There is no possibility of losing capability for long(er) time.
But I guess, saying that there will be money in budget without any guaranty for that is easiest thing as there were never issues with that. Definitely no chance for anything to cut spending for the Army, especially in today economy, right? So why just stop there, I mean there must be some money in defence budget for other things to
I wonder are we here talking about wishes or realistic stuff, because UK canceling CR3 and sending all tanks to Ukraine is definitely not realistic.