Defence of the realm

I really think there is a limit to how often the PR experts at the Ministry of Defence tell us that “there is nothing to see here, please move on.”

It is perfectly clear that American military think that the UK’s forces are not to be taken seriously.

The UK cannot put an armoured division in the field, has not got enough ammo, or tanks or anything else really.

The Ajax armoured vehicle programme is a farce, just ending it and buying off the shelf would probably be better.

The Army’s new radio is now another 11 years from being ready for use. It is supposed to integrate whole weapons systems and make them far more effective. But it doesn’t work, the old one is increasing insecure but we will need to get another 11 years use out of it.

One of the Royal Navy’s two aircraft carriers is broken, which is perhaps just as well as the Navy does not have enough ships to protect its carriers or enough supply vessels to replenish them, nor enough crew to man its limited fleet.

There is also a £17 billion black hole (and probably a much larger one) in the budget for defence procurement. Meaning we cannot afford all the equipment we need.

Neither the RAF not the Navy, nor the Army have anything like enough people or enough recruits to replace those leaving.

Oh and apparently the lamentable state of Ireland’s defences means we need to do more to defend its borders as well or it will be a “threat” to the UK.

But don’t worry the MOD keeps telling us we are ready, aye ready. While the government is readying itself for pre-election tax cuts, but don’t worry they can always afford a flag to wrap themselves in.

Jonty’s Jottings

Economics, trade and Brexit, not necessarily in that order but the dog always comes first.

By Jonty Bloom Media