I reckon all defence correspondents writing for the rags we call newspapers in the UK do it just to wind us up because they have neither the knowledge nor intelligence to do any better. Just look at some of the sh*t printed in the Observer, Guardian, Mail............. and the list goes on.
In my many years of Service not a lot has changed regardless of whether its Labour or Conservative and it wouldn't matter with Liberal, Greens or Nationalists in charge either.
Historically we have always been caught napping when a conflict breaks out. We know we need more manpower and equipment not less, we know we need to plan for any future conflicts not just the present. Unfortunately politicians, and I'm afraid some of own Generals, Admirals and Air Staff, obviously don't learn from history and until mainland Britain is again threatened with invasion the military will continue with the trends it has seen since the 50s.
I think we have to expect that, with the current lot, we will by 2015 be down to 30,000 front line only airmen and officers who can expect to be away more often than be at home. Civil Service support will be cut but our reliance on civilian services from companies making a nice profit will increase. For a short while this may appear to save money from the military budget and be value for money. I suspect though that if we look at all such money saving civilianisation schemes over the last 20 years and see their value 5 years after introduction they are either now costing more or we have had to put back some of the Service infrastructure including manpower to make them work to an acceptable level.
After saying all that I admit to not knowing all the answers but I do know we need an Air Force and we need equipment and manpower for what is happening today and also for what could happen tomorrow.
DT_Xtremez_30: