FlyerTon Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 The Tories have shut down 66% of the RAF in Scotland, leaving only one base, do you not think that air cover in Scotland should be devolved? Scotland is one third of the UK land mass despite what is shown on some fake TV weather forecast graphics. England has about 20 RAF bases. You could call it RAF-S or RSAF or and get Leuchars back protecting the east coast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bairn Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Defence should only ever be "devolved" in the event of independence - but indy is inevitable anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevthedee Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Only when we get independence(2021) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyerTon Posted May 10, 2015 Author Share Posted May 10, 2015 Defence should only ever be "devolved" in the event of independence - but indy is inevitable anyway It's a scandal, due to Tory cuts, we only have 1 RAF base in Scotland but about 20 in England. Surely, if the people of Scotland want to have more air cover we can pay for it if the Tories will not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevthedee Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 It's a scandal, due to Tory cuts, we only have 1 RAF base in Scotland but about 20 in England. Surely, if the people of Scotland want to have more air cover we can pay for it if the Tories will not? All the snp said in the white paper was that they would retain the currant military bases in an independent scotland,if defence was devovled then would they stick with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scary Bear Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 It's a scandal, due to Tory cuts, we only have 1 RAF base in Scotland but about 20 in England. Surely, if the people of Scotland want to have more air cover we can pay for it if the Tories will not? It's somewhat down my list of immediate priorities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antiochas III Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 The worst part of all this is when you see what we have within Scotland, compared to what we pay for to be within Scotland. Scotland over pays for her share of the military Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongTimeLurker Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 There has always been an enormous structural subsidy for London and the SE of England in the UK, because it is so heavily centralised as a state. You do not need full independence to fix it, federalism would do it as well, but it makes the whole economy of scale argument used during the referendum by the No side less than convincing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyerTon Posted May 10, 2015 Author Share Posted May 10, 2015 We need these jets near the biggest city in Scotland, not in the near far north of Scotland. Thanks to the Tories, that is what we have when they axed Leuchars to leave 1 RAF base in Scotland. Edit to add: I think that's the Austrian Air Force. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillonearth Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Historically, having the RAF mainly based in the likes of Kent, Hampshire and East Anglia made sense. The perceived threat was just across the Channel, and the speed/operating range of planes meant they were the only places an engagement would take place (in WW2 a Messerschmitt 109 would have less than 10 minutes flying time over England before having to turn back if it wanted to make it home) Not sure what the rationale is behind almost everything STILL being there though. It's similar to how the majority of the Army remains in Wiltshire and Hampshire as if they were facing a possible Napoleonic invasion of the south coast of England. Careful what you wish for though, although they might bring in some cash to the local economy big military settlements tend to be grim places - I had the misfortune to spend a couple of nights in Aldershot once with my work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob the tank Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Is it true that all the oil rig protection in the north sea is done by the Norwegian navy? I'm sure somebody on here said it was the case because we haven't got suitable ships in Scotland, or even any ships. Anybody know if this is genuine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 We should lease Scapa Flow to the Russians in exchange for air cover from one of their aircraft carriers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geronimo Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 We do not need an air force. Such a thing would be a total waste of money in today's society. What a dreadful idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongTimeLurker Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Advanced fighter jets I would agree, but air-sea rescue and monitoring fishing boats infringing on offshore waters covered by the 200 mile limit would be functions that could sensibly be covered by an air force as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete's Frontier Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 I'm sure it will be a very advanced and formidable force, along these lines. Nippy Muttley and Eck Dastardley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyerTon Posted May 10, 2015 Author Share Posted May 10, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bishop Briggs Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Are you proposing that Holyrood pays for the SAF from its own devolved tax revenue? How much would it cost to buy the land and aircraft? How would the SAF operate in partnership with the RAF and other Nato countries' air forces? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Starko Rover Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Pointless waste of time unless Scotland is fully independent, RAF and NATO are responsible for defence of Scottish airspace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoda Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 We do not need an air force. Such a thing would be a total waste of money in today's society. What a dreadful idea. RAF Search & Rescue. Maritime Patrol. I would much rather see money forked out on those (and reinvesting into Lossiemouth/Kinloss) than maintaing a nuclear deterrent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Starko Rover Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 RAF Search & Rescue. Maritime Patrol. I would much rather see money forked out on those (and reinvesting into Lossiemouth/Kinloss) than maintaing a nuclear deterrent. RAF are getting rid of Search and Rescue handing over to Civil agencies http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21934077 Maritime Patrol aircraft came to the end of thier life at the wrong time when replacing them was too expensive after the banking crisis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.