Nice way to write around the real point. If the UK does this it will need US support (aka permission) to launch an attach on a country with an operational defensive radar system.

The US doesn't have an over supply of radar jamming aircraft either. So having a solid ally lose their capability is no bargain. Give them the Joint Rivets to run until they figure this out. But hopefully the UK will see the need to build from within sometime soon.

Bob Evan, Vineland, NJ, USA

If you really think the war is worthless you don't need planes. Let the "Yanks " do it..

JoeSF, San Francisco, CA

Its a sad day when we follow the yanks into a pointless war. An even worse day when we dont have our own military equipment!

Farrukh, Woking, UK

Less money to government bureaucracy and social services, more money to Armed forces. I'm sure a £1bn black hole is nothing to these other areas of limitless expenditure.

Richard, London, England

The Government should cough up money for the Boeing P8 Poseidon Multi mission aircraft, just as the Australians are doing.

For me, at a time of increased conflict, cut backs to front line aircraft are not acceptable..

In addition to new P8s, we also need additional C17 transports, will someone please do something?

G. Holland, UK,

bring back the Shackletons- they might have been old technology but at least it was tried and tested technology.
Failing that why don't the RAF buy /lease a job lot of recently retired Boeing 737, 757 and McDonell Douglas MD80, DC9 jets that have just been recently retired by civil avaition operators (British Airways, Bmi, First Choice Airlines etc) and then kit them out with the AEW equipment has to be a more cost effective option than buying new AWACS aircraft?

Nick, Farnborough, Hampshire, Wessex, UK

Obviously, the RAF aircrew who said This is a “very, very short-sighted and very cheap solution”, was an MoD spokesman announcing the Treasury's new policy for the national defence!

Any day, now, we shall see the PM following in the footsteps of New Zealand's Helen Clark and scrapping the RAF's combat capability. That will put Britain right along side the Kiwis in an embarrassing plea for private aircraft owners to provide make-believe air cover for joint training exercises with other nations.

Bob Evans, Anaheim, California