Noticing the slightly PR-iffy statement made by a senior RAF chap - about how the RAF has been decimated, and how they wouldn't stand a chance against the Russian if they did want to invade/destroy us. It got me thinking.
1. It's all hot air; the Ruskies having a poke - or sabre-rattle, it's a bit of show, and nothing different from the 'pinging' that occurred (maybe/probably still does) with US/UK/USSR Nuclear Subs
2. Actually blatantly stating that the RAF is knackered is a massive no-no
if that's the case - In terms of making us look like chumps and an easy target. However, it serves two purposes...
i Broadcasting to the world a most likely false message of 'under-endowment' works, tactically. Deceiving the Germans into thinking the RAF was weaker than it was/in a totally different place to its true location was a major factor in winning The Second World War.
ii Though it's all smoke and mirrors, and the Russians wouldn't actually believe any public message it
does cause a major headache for the people who
are sensitive to media/public opinion in their control - the MPs. From a RAF perspective they've probably had quite enough of seeing their Harrier, Nimrod MRA4, and god knows what else cut or scrapped. This public announcement gets under the General Populaces skin, and I'd call a bit of a final 'ruddy well stop cutting us, end of!' from the RAF.
3. Personally I can't think of a time when anyone could honestly say the RAF has been 'over strength', it's
always under strength. Was in the Battle of Britain, all the way through the Cold War, Afghanistan, you name it. Possible nearest to a 'Golden Era' would be 50s/60s, with Nuclear deterrent, but I don't think anyone would realistically and wilfully go back to Mutually Assured Destruction in exchange for some, admittedly very very cool Vulcans / Victors / Valiants in the sky.
4. Being understrength against a massively outnumbering force has happened before, the British Armed Forces somewhat specialise in this. It's why the Royal Navy frequently bested the Yanks in various War Games, and how the then-ancient Vulcans were able to sweep merrily under the Americans 'impenetrable' defences in Red Flag War Games etc.. Anyone watch 'Zulu' recently? We're jolly good at that sort of War.
5. Political. The Russian people sit merrily, saying 'Look out mighty Bear bombers have penetrated the measly RAF RADAR, we are still a Superpower! Pass me a Vodka' while the British Public grumble at the state of the country (as we always do) and blame the Politicians (as we always do) and say ''ooh, weren't things better in the 40s with Churchill?'' (as we always do. I read a book, and apparently there was a World War going on then, but people seem to forget that bit, and remember Glenn Miller and slimmer women) and the MPs sit at home and think "ugh, a PR coup that makes us look bad, we'll have to promise something we have no intention of honouring to take their minds off it" (as they always do)
My waffle, there!
Personally I say increase Military budget massively, start designing a new generation of Fighters / bombers or MRCAs and or VTOLs, ships, whatever all in
this country, give a generation of people, apprentices, engineers, designers, welders, electricians etc jobs and hope. It helps the economy when people are in work, because they pay this thing called tax. Also we can sell things like trucks, ships, aircraft to other countries, who give us a thing called money in exchange. Give people something to be proud of. Defence has no budget, because when it fails a thing called War breaks out. Defence isn't the same as Warmongering, it's making people feel safer in their homes. Stop buying American pieces of cast-off junk, stop worrying about 'the deficit' which has always been there, and always will be, stop paying Europe millions and billions to dictate to
us, invest in British Industry, and all the while the unseen Security Services are infiltrating Terrorist Cells, acting like a virus, slowly corrupting and breaking down the scum out there that think it's fine to warp people's minds in the name of religion and honour, to the point of murder. Then we can sleep safe in our homes, but also with our kids working at BAE Systems or training the next generation of Pilots, not with a Honours Degree in Design, a ton of Student Debt, and on minimum wage in an office, 7 years after graduating, like me
Also well in agreement with Mr Tiger Gonads, it's all happening up there, but the truth is, we don't see the truth. There's a fair few layers of opaque glass that we're seeing things through. Bit of huff and puff, really
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Topic: Russian Bears (Read 4177 times)