Well good news that they are still going to be built. And that the decision is still the end of this year.

Back in the 1980's a friend in the USAF told me about spares that had gone missing including a complete mobile radar that was shipped back to the US after a deployment, never to be seen again...…. Fast forward 35yrs... To make matters worse, the DoD has spent billions of dollars on F-35 spare parts,...

Definitely a dose of character assassination is being played out before Williamson spills the beans.

The US is talking about a reduction in JLTV orders as well. They say like the Block II Chinook it was designed for Afghan type warfare and now question if they need so many when they have lots of Humvees available. Cant find the link as to where I read that though.

The full programme calls for the upgrade of 473 CH-47F models and 69 MH-47G models, a variant used by US Special Operations Command." I believe there is some talk of cancellation of the block II program with respect to the F model as the requirement (Afghanistan) has gone away for the time bei...

So Gavin ruffled to many feathers! True that he wanted to send HMS Queen Elizabeth to South China Sea. Don't know about the other stories though.

Repulse wrote: NHS/Education/DFiD budgets need to be cut to pay for better kit.

We could increase taxes to pay for more defence.....

Is this government a May Dictatorship? If you don't agree with me you are toast. That said if Gavin was responsible for the leak then he was rightly sacked.

cyrilranch wrote:Not directly RN QNLZ issue, but French CGD "inside" video here is very impressive. We will be seeing RN version of this kind of movie within 2 years?

Enjoyed the CdG tour, nice to see areas such as the Engine workshop and test area. Also garbage disposal and L:aundry in action.

Lord Jim wrote:It is widely accepted that the United Kingdom does not spend enough

Without a commitment from the government to prioritize defence funding, then your statement remains true. However there comes a point where extra funds will be needed, let us pray its not too late for change.

Of course we could throw in the wardroom silver. You do realise that Hammond and co would keep the dosh.

Disgrace indeed, not surprised there is no dosh to pay for upgrades.

Sad to see any Historical building get destroyed.Reminds me of when the roof of York Minster was destroyed in a fire in 1984. It was rebuilt after 4 years of work.

Surprised the Japanese already have 12 in service. Sad to hear they lost one hope they find the pilot.

Lord Jim wrote:A piece of kit that should become standard on all our AFV is the fire direction sensor

https://des.mod.uk/ajax-threat-detectio ... nsor-army/

Also posted this in Ajax thread but put it hear for reference.

Contract out for fire direction sensor for Ajax..
https://des.mod.uk/ajax-threat-detectio ... nsor-army/
Seem fairly cheap to buy.

Cooper wrote:he biggest mystery in all of this has to be why

Because their in so lying, gutless person who wants the job.

Good news indeed for Yeovil. Hope to hear the UK is buying some more as well.

Well Mr Watson who is my local MP may be right to say put the vote to the people because our useless MP's cant decide what to do. Oh Mr Watson is a MP too...… Time I think to elect some new ones.

Lord Jim wrote: latter is bombing civilians rather then arresting and torturing them makes all the difference.

Saudi arrest and torture too

Noting the date of departure is this an Aprils Fool or genuine?

That's a lot of pennies, no doubt the cost will increase further when deliveries begin (If they ever do).

ArmChairCivvy wrote:We had some BIER with our British friends

Ha ha, is she gonna throw up?

At the community centre on Friday, everyone I spoke too was sick to death of this governments handling of Brexit, they don't trust May at all, saying she is trying to keep us tied to the EU whilst proclaiming otherwise. Likewise the EU, is doing all it can to make us stay in, but at the same time it...

dmereifield wrote:the backstop is awful

Awful is putting it mildly, wonder what we would have had if we did not need the DUP vote. Anyway yes a long delay does seem inevitable, hope as mentioned above we have a proper Brexit govt.