DefenceSynergia Open Input to the HCDC Inquiry into UK Air Capability - 9thJanuary 2024
DS is aware of the HCDC inquiry into Future Aviation Capabilities. A worthy topic no doubt but DS wonders if the issue of critical mass alongside full spectrum capability will ever be addressed?
We are mystified as to what CGS and CAS talk about given that ASTOR has been scrapped without a murmur; that the RAF no longer has an anti-radiation missile capability; that SEAD is just a topic for Staff College apparently; and that AEW/ISTAR coverage is in the hands of 3 Rivet Joint and 3 E-7 Wedgetail (if and when the latter arrive)? Or, that the RAF tactical AT fleet is now predicated upon 22 x A400m and Strategic airlift on 6 x C-17 and 14 Voyager A330 when they are not tasked on AAR duties elsewhere?
DS is also mystified as to what the First Sea Lord and CAS talk about given that the RAF can offer limited AAR for CSG except along the littoral axis and limited LRMPA to cover SSBN CASD operations; coverage of the Greenland, Iceland, UK Gap; surveillance of the Western and Eastern Mediterranean; and, presumably, further East should the CSG deploy there in support of stated HMG Foreign Policy towards AUKUS or FPDA?
All of that is before any rationalisation of the CSG Air Group versus the alleged land based use of UK's 48 x F35B has been properly assessed. E.G. Should UK buy a mix of F35A and F35B? And if a CATOBAR system is retrofitted should UK buy an E-2 derivative for carrier-based long-range AEW cover?
As the RAF consolidates into fewer centralised air bases it would be helpful to know what the AD/Ground Defence plans are given that our enemies not only know exactly where these bases are but will have to use less of their missile technology – subsonic, supersonic and hypersonic - to target them from range?
As lack of manpower is the current topicde jourwhat is CAS doing to increase technical and logistic resources, recruiting, training, and retention?
And this just scrapes the surface before the HCDC begins the worthy process of examining GCAP.
