Keeping Britain at the forefront of Aviation
Newsletters
Newsletter – Nov/Dec 2010
1 year ago
by Dan Marshall
in Newsletters
The eagerly-awaited Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), titled “Securing Britain in an Age of Uncertainty”, was presented to Parliament by Prime Minister David Cameron MP on 19 October. Following on from the halving of national defence expenditure (as a proportion of GDP) over the life of the previous government’s period in office, the new defence budget settlement represented a new eight per cent reduction in real terms and included the most significant cuts in capability since the end of the Second World War. In terms of air power, the most far-reaching and unexpected announcements included abandonment of the £3 billion Nimrod MRA4 programme, the rapid withdrawal of all RAF/ RN Harriers, and RN Flagship HMS Ark Royal, and the switch of plans to buy the STOVL F-35B version of the JSF in favour of the navalised C model, to operate from one carrier, to be delivered in a conventional carrier configuration.
Newsletter – Sept/Oct 2010
1 year ago
After just over six months as your Chairman I wanted to let everyone know a little more about our new initiatives. First of all, I am delighted at the progress made by The Leading Edge. For the first time since I joined the Air League in 1993 I really feel we are engaging properly with tomorrow’s aviators. Apart from the visit programme being organised by Andy Perkins and his team, their presence at Futures Day at Farnborough was very successful and resulted in a number of new members being signed up. We are also indebted to Jenny Tye and Dan Marshall for their work to improve our website and our publicity material.
Newsletter – Jul/Aug 2010
1 year ago
by Dan Marshall
in Newsletters
The forthcoming UK Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) is being conducted in a most politically charged climate. While the elevation of defence to the top of the political agenda has been a long time coming, the only definitive message that has emerged over recent weeks is that the UK government has already concluded that the current defence programme is unaffordable and big changes are on their way. As a result it faces a huge challenge in deciding what to do about it. Speaking at the RUSI on 14 June, Defence Secretary Liam Fox said that the SDSR would have to make a clean break from the thinking of the past and will be “ruthless and without sentiment”.
Also in this issue:
Aeronautica
Annual Reception
Members news
Newsletter – May/Jun 2010
1 year ago
by Dan Marshall
in Newsletters
There has been much political rhetoric from both sides of the House on the pivotal role of high-technology manufacturing in the recovery of the UK economy. The Defence sector represents 300,000 jobs and 10% of the UK’s manufacturing output. With an annual turnover of £35 billion and a 21% share of the global market, Defence exports alone support 65,000 of these jobs. But these are economic facts and they are of strategic importance. Of more strategic importance is industry’s role in equipping and supporting the UK’s Armed Forces in Afghanistan, a most complex and dangerous theatre of war. And there will be other such challenging operations in the future.
Also in this Issue:
A political view
It’s a vision thing
The RAF in defence priorities
Aeronautica
Members news
Newsletter – Mar/Apr 2010
2 years ago
by Dan Marshall
in Newsletters
The Government’s Defence Green Paper, entitled “Adaptability and Partnership: Issues for a Strategic Defence Review” was published on 3 February. It arrived in the midst of renewed press speculation concerning the survival of three separate British Armed Forces, and as defence spending continues to shrink as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product.
Also in this Issue:
Knighthood for Life Vice-President
Aeronautica
Thin blue line
Industry News
Members news
