mr lester may london uk, I dont see the FAA doing transport to and from theatre, air recon, tanker roll, front line fighting (RAF regiment) or any real bombing or support. 240 FAA a/c dont think so, most are on the floor unused or moth balled. Or at best broke beyond use because of incompetence fact

alan , elgin, uk

Keep cutting back and there will be no aircraft to fly from those new carriers (IF they even get built). Wasn't it during the withdrawl of the Ark Royal and fixed wing assets in the late 70's that the belief was that RAF would provide air cover for the fleet? Yeah... Right...

John Gabor, Derby, USA

Instead of merging the Fleet Air Arm into the RAF, far greater savings would be made by transferring the role, assets and people of the RAF to the FAA and the Army Air Corps. 41,000 RAF people run 1,070 aircraft; 6,000 FAA people run 240 aircraft. The numbers alone show how inefficient is the RAF.

Lester May, London, UK

TSR2, Borneo, Falklands - you name it - for an unparochial view, just ask the Army (in fact they tell you without being asked!). Labour governments always rely on inter-service rivalry to get themselves out of a hole, and the RAF foolishly obliges.

alexei, forres, uk

"The first thing man learns from history is that man never learns from history" - General Sir John Glubb.

alexei, forres, uk

These arguments have been used time and time again. The military spent decades preparing for a Cold War which never came and struggled to adaquately resource a relatively minor campaign in the Falklands as a result of their planning decisions. Admiral BAND is quite right to threaten resignation.

Michael BROWN, BIRMINGHAM , UK

It would be a grave strategic error to scrap our Harriers and leave only the RAF to fight from land bases. Time and again it has been shown that naval air power is essential in not only naval operations but in support operations over land. Torpy himself should resign for suggesting such foolishness.

Jennifer Hynes, Plymouth, England

Not only short sighted to assume that we will only ever be fighting the current major conflict, but ignoring that there are other current situations of major importance too! Ask the Somalia anti-pirate task force if they would like their air support reduced!

John, Banbury,

Cheer up mates. The Liberals in Canada did the same thing to our military during the 90s. In military circles, that time is called the 'decade of darkness.' But now we have a Conservative government that's properly funding our military and they've only been in 3 years. Vote blue next election.

Phil, Toronto, Canada

the US who have dozens of warships.

john robertson, london,

Your not seriously saying we should relie on our partners for defense, but not be able to help them in an emergency?

No doubt america would help us, in time of war, but we cant relie on it.

darren moran, alloa, scotlan

This reminds me of the cuts the government did in the early 80's leaving the Royal Navy in a right mess. Then the Falklands War happened and proved that we needed the Royal Navy more than ever. Isn't it odd how this government hasn't learned from history . Our country is run by half-wits!!!

Phil, Barrow-in-Furness, UK

Europe wants to play on the world stage but does not want to put up the money. The US has been carrying the bulk of the UK and EU defense since 1945. Its time for them to pay and stop relying upon the US taxpayer.

Randall, boston, USA

Pigs will fly before the Navy takes delivery of its much-vaunted carriers. Big ticket items will be subject to cuts from any government desperate to save money in order to keep the civvies at MOD, and other jobsworths and scroungers in lavender. Look forward to a coastal defence force.

Baggers, Hungerford, UK

Make the MoD independent like the Bank of England has been made independent - NOW!! Even more than monetary stability, national security is far too important to be subject to party politics. It's sickening that we spend twice as much on the day-prison/indoctrination-centres we call schools.

Mike, Long Island, NY

Having been in the army (hence neutral) I would MUCH rather be supported by the RN than the RAF........much more likely to drop bombs in the right place, not tell me its 'non flying weather', etc. The RAF are civvies in uniform.

nick, villars,

State enemies will use proxies and cyber warfare to attack our nation unless they want 'world war' style wars(unlikely..), non-state enemies such as al qaeda+other terrorist cells will NOT require warships.added to this any major wars we fight will surely be with the US who have dozens of warships.

john robertson, london,

It is stupiity to leave our navy without an aircraft strike force. It is our oldest service and deserves more respect. The closure of RAF Cottesmore is again a stupid move, or are we seeing the general running down of all our services?

P. Nesbitt, Grantham, UK

Every serving officer in the RN should be joining Admiral Band in his threat to resign. Should the RAF win this battle, the end of the Royal Navy is at hand. Unless, of course, Torpy can obtain a signed agreement from every head of state in the world not to create a problem in the next 20 years!

Bob Evans, Suffolk,