ArmChairCivvy wrote:RetroSicotte wrote:Supacat Extenda might be the last British AFV
AFV? The top is open; does the lower half stop assault rifle bullets?
It's better protected than often given credit, but yes, it's hardly the definition of "AFV" either. It's hard to believe I'm being generous with my definition of AFV for the remaining British industry.
RunningStrong wrote:
I'd hardly say that costing 2-3x the unit cost of JLTV, plus increased spares costs, is a minor price to pay for a UK-manufactured vehicle.
You have the exact unit prices for an unreleased deal? I wouldn't give numerical estimates until we know.
Either way, without this, the light AFV sector dies.
Without that, there are no British AFVs remaining. That is a loss greater than any amount extra on one order would ever have been, as it leaves us 100% open to the whims of others in terms of purchases. Again, look at France. They accept the sometimes higher cost and look what it got them, one of the strongest full system export economies in the defence sector, incredibly experienced skillsets, regular and varied concepts that they can throw into production to match needs in a changing world, much cheaper and longer run programs in the long term and ultimately a healthier Army vehicle fleet year on year.
If we only ever thing short term benefit being unable to make what we need, we get where we are now, with the Army set to have a hilariously underarmed and undersized vehicle pool.