Posted on 07/21/2004 1:29:10 PM PDT by knighthawk
July 21 (Bloomberg) -- U.K. Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon said the Ministry of Defence will cut 20,000 jobs and save 2.8 billion pounds ($5.2 billion) by 2008, freeing up cash for modernizing weapons and equipment instead of supporting troops.
Announcing Prime Minister Tony Blair's five-year plan for defense, Hoon said he will reduce the number of soldiers, sailors and airmen by 10,000 and close at least one base. Older ships and aircraft will be retired ahead of schedule.
Weapons makers including BAE Systems Plc and Boeing Co. will benefit from new orders as Hoon attempts to focus the military on responding quickly to threats around the globe. The plan will revamp the U.K. military to fight terrorism and contribute to peacekeeping missions instead of pursuing an obsolete strategy of defending against a threat from the former Soviet Union.
(Excerpt) Read more at quote.bloomberg.com ...
Ping
No guns and no right to self defense, so why have a military?
While it is true that new technology is often capable of saving labor costs, such claims should also be viewed with healthy skepticism. Oftentimes, such systems require much higher skilled technical support. What is "saved" in direct military headcount is surpassed by increased costs of activities outsourced to private contractors.
Al Quaida is drooling with this news!
The UK won't "save" 5.2 billion, they will BLOW the money on substandard dental care, medical care, and toddler care--and any other stupid socialist rubbish that they can think of.
Remember those boats the Iranians stole last month? Well I hope they give them back, otherwise the UK's going to have lost whats left of their navy (Sarcasm)
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