SCOTSMAN.COM VIEW

The Ministry of Defence faces hundreds of millions of pounds in ‘hidden costs’ for the RAF’S new generation warplane that won’t be fly properly due to defence cuts

In relation to the F-35s and the carriers; what is the threat? How hi-tech do we really need to go? After all, the Serbs shot down a stealth fighter and some anti-aircraft systems can detect stealth aircraft. – Eldee Let’s save a bomb by not having bombers (or fighters) for other than defence – in which case ground to air missiles will do fine. – Andrew Macaulay So what if they don’t work and the new carrier doesn’t have broadband! According to Michael Fallon, they will improve ‘situational awareness’. If there is one thing to put the wind up Ivan, it’s situational awareness! – Berlin Calling Another scandal with these less-than-useful aircraft is the engines. The RAF will not be permitted to overhaul them. When the time comes, the engines have to be shipped off to Turkey as the US has negotiated a deal with Turkey to maintain all Europe-based F35 engines. Plus, airframes will have to be sent to Italy. Insanity. – Captain Fantastic2