RAF fights to keep Sentinel R1 jets in service after 2015...

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/276 ... fence-cuts

RAF BATTLE TO SAVE £1BN SPYPLANE FROM DEFENCE CUTS

Saturday October 8,2011

RAF chiefs are fighting to keep a £1billion spyplane threatened by defence cuts.

The Sentinel R1 has been providing priceless data about enemy operations for forces in Afghanistan and over Libya.

Its radar system helps commanders choose targets by ­scanning the ground for enemy activity and relaying up-to-date information.

But the five-plane fleet, built by Bombardier, is due to be phased out in 2015 when British combat troops return from Afghanistan.

Its early retirement, just eight years after coming into service, is part of the deep round of cuts imposed on the Armed Forces by the Coalition after the Labour Government ran up a £38billion black hole in the defence budget.

Options include replacing it with unmanned aerial vehicles – which do not offer its suite of capabilities – or American Rivet Joint spy planes.

But extending its life could be the first major U-turn of the Government’s swingeing Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Yesterday a defence source said: “Sentinel is fundamental to our ability to do operations.
The decision to retire it may be challenged given its superb performance and accuracy of its information from Afghanistan and Libya.”

Defence Secretary Liam Fox has signalled that Sentinel may win a reprieve in the next review in 2015.

He told the authoritative IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly: “I’ve always seen that as a decision that we could look at again.”

[Le Addeur noir]

That's assuming that there will be a RAF after 2015.

Many left-wing politicians in the UK would be very happy for the entire RAF to be disbanded.

[evhest]

That's assuming that there will be a RAF after 2015.

Many left-wing politicians in the UK would be very happy for the entire RAF to be disbanded.

And your source for that is?

It's strange to see how many always think 'left' is worse. It's was a rightwing government that made the biggest cutbacks on defence in UK-history, just as it was a rightwing government here in Holland. Also, Soesterberg, Valkenburg, the 'sale' (more or less for free ) of P-3 Orions; right wing. Get over it.

Often, left wing parties are not in favour in of cuts on anything. Why? Because of jobs. Defence = jobs.

[Optimus]

That's assuming that there will be a RAF after 2015.

Many left-wing politicians in the UK would be very happy for the entire RAF to be disbanded.

And your source for that is?

It's strange to see how many always think 'left' is worse. It's was a rightwing government that made the biggest cutbacks on defence in UK-history, just as it was a rightwing government here in Holland. Also, Soesterberg, Valkenburg, the 'sale' (more or less for free ) of P-3 Orions; right wing. Get over it.

Often, left wing parties are not in favour in of cuts on anything. Why? Because of jobs. Defence = jobs.

Where's the 'like' button on this messageboard