massive Kürzungen im britischen Wehr-Etat
Geschrieben von Andreas am 19. Oktober 2003 19:36:34:
Als Antwort auf: NACHRICHTEN (19.10.) (owT) geschrieben von Johannes am 19. Oktober 2003 00:22:09:
Ausschnitte aus dem Artikel:
The cuts, to be announced in a White Paper next month, have prompted anger among some senior officers, since they are expected to affect everything from the number of new warships and fighter jets to a body armour for individual infantrymen.
Only eight of 12 Type-45 destroyers are now likely to be purchased and the order for two new aircraft carriers may be reduced. Purchase orders of the 'Eurofighter' Typhoon combat jet, now grounded due to brake problems, is likely to be cut from 232 to 130.
Also at risk is funding for training programmes that give the British Army and other services their edge, as well as a plan to equip all soldiers with self-protection body armour and a high technology 'network capability' to keep troops updated on developments on the battlefield as they happen.
Some of the Army's most famous tank regiments may also lose their heavy armour. The equivalent of an entire armoured brigade of Challenger II tanks, about 120, may have to be taken out of active service.
The complaints by senior officers, who feel that the armed forces should have received a 'war bonus' after Iraq, comes amid a wider row over money with the Treasury, which some accuse of reneging on a promise to fund unforeseen costs from the war.
'We are concentrating on capabilities not platforms,' said one Whitehall defence source. 'The truth is that one Apache helicopter is worth a whole squadron of heavy tanks.'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,11816,1066448,00.html