RAF Urged To Cut ‘Cold War’ New Jets For Cheap Propeller Aircraft -- Times Online
The RAF is under pressure to cut its multibillion-pound orders for fast jets in favour of cheaper propeller aircraft as part of a review of defence spending. The suggestion, from General Sir David Richards, has ignited a debate that pitches the head of the Army against his opposite numbers in the other two Services.
General Richards, Chief of the General Staff, believes that the Super Tucano offers a cost-effective alternative to fast jets such as the Cold War-era Eurofighter Typhoon in counter-insurgency operations such as those in Afghanistan. Resembling something from the Second World War, a Super Tucano costs about £5 million, a fraction of the £60 million estimated cost of the F35 Joint Strike Fighter ordered for the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers or the £67 million of a Typhoon.
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Update: Low and Slow for the RAF -- New Wars
My Comment: These planes will have a greater impact on today's counter insurgency wars than multi-billion dollar jets .... better to fight the wars that you have than the wars that may be.
1 comment:
So true. However, Iraq and Afghanistan are slowing down - at a snails' pace, but still. Again there is the risk of investing into the last (COIN) war and with getting stuck with unsuitable kit to face the next armed conflict.
A balance could be struck ('swing-role' sqns operating both Typhoons and 314s for example), but policy makers wielding the ever swinging budget axe may just see it as another convenient cost cutting measure, robbing the RAF (and thus the other services) from a valuable strike tool.
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