“What is the strategic justification for yet more
investment in our land-based tactical fighter?”

  1. The article at Forces.Net, “THE MK2 RADAR WILL TRANSFORM THE TYPHOON’S FIGHTING CAPABILITIES” provides evidence of more extravagant and very expensive modification to a weapon system that has little or no utility within the UK’s Strategic Maritime Policy.
  2. It quotes that: “In tech news, RAF Typhoon fighter jets are to be fitted with the ‘world’s most advanced radar’. The world-leading electronic warfare capability is part of a £2.35bn investment, the Ministry of Defence announced.”
  3. It states that: “The system will allow pilots to suppress enemy air defences using high-powered jamming and engage with targets from a safe distance.”
  4. The article’s final comment reflects the aircraft’s lack of global reach: “The Typhoon is the RAF’s main Quick Reaction Alert aircraft for UK and Falkland Islands airspace, protecting the skies against potential threats.” Before agreeing to this investment, Minister for Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin should have:
    1. Addressed the aircraft’s lack of utility East of Suez and in the Indo-Pacific region and,
    2. Taken note that this is where the major threat to our trade and energy supply (and our continued prosperity) lies, and
    3. Balanced this investment against the prescient need to increase procurement of the F-35B carrier borne fighter and thereby fulfil the urgent need to provide adequate, global-reach Air Groups for our 2 Strike Carriers.

The Minister appears not to have asked the necessary strategic questions concerning this misguided investment program: [Factual Answers Provided].

    1. Does the program directly enhance the capability desired of our Strategic Maritime Policy? [No, it does not.]
    2. Is the program directly related to and capable of countering the perceived global threat/s? [No, it is not.]
    3. Is the weapon system rapidly deployable in strength throughout the littoral of the Global Commons in support of military operations? [No, it is not.]
    4. What are the logistic support needs for the effective deployment of the weapon system? And are these available? [No they are not.]
    5. Does the size of the program reflect its utility for Deterrence and Warfighting throughout the Global Commons? [No, it does not.]

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