40 JSF's for UK after cuts, Harriers to go?
Latest reports on the BBC Newsnight, who claim to have seen SDSR documents, say the following:
Both new aircraft carriers to be built.
One used as a helicopter carrier in the short term.
JSF order cut from 138 to 40 - presumably STOVL B models.
RN surface escort fleet cut from 24 to 15 or 16 - 6 Type 45 and 9/10 Type 23's?
Army reorganised into 5 brigades of 6,000 each - presumably these are mixed type combat brigades.
7,000 man cut in army manpower.
No specific word on the RAF fleet mix from the BBC but the Guardian report that the RAF is mounting a last ditch attempt to reprieve the Tornado force by getting rid of the Harrier fleet:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/15/raf-fight-save-tornado-bombers
which would potentially leave the first carrier without aircraft for a time.
Seems a pretty extraordinary way to settle long term defence policy to me!
