UK to US: Can we borrow a spy plane?

[Acid Trip]

I wonder what the daily rate is for the crew/plane/jet fuel...

COST-CUTTING Britain has been forced to go cap in hand to borrow a US spy plane to protect our ships in Libya.

Top Brass had to ask for help after last year's controversial decision to axe Nimrods left the UK with NO airborne maritime surveillance capability.

A US Navy P-3 Orion is now keeping watch over HMS Liverpool, mine hunter HMS Brocklesby and nuclear sub HMS Triumph. It has a US crew and is making regular sweeps off Mad Dog Gaddafi's coast. It will provide information on potential threats to the three vessels.

A source said: "It's all deeply embarrassing, but we can't have our guys with no protection so we have to rely on others."

The new Nimrods were scrapped in the Strategic Defence and Security Review. Ministers claimed the decision would save roughly £2billion but military figures blasted the move.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...#ixzz1MX4KyGPr

[Muddy]

It's all good.. Britain can borrow whatever they need..

[beowulf]

wrong to describe the nimrod as a 'spy plane'

i agree with retiring the nimrod......old, tired, shagged out unsafe bit of kit...................but we should have bought a replacement first!.....we are an island nation, you would think we would need some kind of maritime patrol

mind you, why are we not using the NATO awacs that all the NATO countries contribute to?....that could do maritime AND land survaillance at the same time..........oh yeah....probably in afghanistan

[FBD]

Its only going to be a matter of time before the UK decides that any military at all is too politically incorrect

[Hugh_Janus]

Its only going to be a matter of time before the UK decides that any military at all is too politically incorrect

I'd laugh, but its too close to the truth

[AntZ]

Its only going to be a matter of time before the UK decides that any military at all is too politically incorrect

Soon, they will just fold the military and contract out the protection of the U.K. to France!

[Hugh_Janus]

don't cross the line, man

[Muddy]

[AntZ]

don't cross the line, man

I guess we can just keep covering for you.

[beowulf]

I guess we can just keep covering for you.

you dont count....you are in switzerland...............just look at your army!

[Muddy]

[beowulf]

I guess we can just keep covering for you.

actually thats a good idea..................will your lot please take over from british troops in afghanistan and those flying over libya............id rather no more of our troops die just cos america want to stick its nose where it shouldnt...since you have so many planes and ships and troops im sure you can afford it and a few more dead ones is kinda unimportant to the rest of us

*sarcasm mode switches off*

[AntZ]

you dont count....you are in switzerland...............just look at your army!

Maybe, but if the shit ever hit the fan, I have a free pass that gets me into the nearest embassy:

[AntZ]

you dont count....you are in switzerland...............just look at your army!

Be nice now, have you seen your guys lately??

[Hugh_Janus]

Be nice now, have you seen your guys lately??

but they are armed with guns.... not trumpets