Scott
09-16-2009, 04:49 PM
DEFENCE projects worth £30billion face the chop under a Tory government, George Osborne sensationally let slip yesterday.
The Shadow Chancellor said two Royal Navy supercarriers, transport planes and Typhoon fighter jets could be scrapped.
At the same time, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth revealed Labour could CUT the Trident nuclear submarine fleet from four to three to save costs.
And he bowed to The Sun's barrage of criticism by declaring "Afghanistan First" for defence spending.
Mr Osborne's announcement is certain to infuriate senior Conservatives who were not briefed about the plans.
Union chiefs warned of "devastating" defence job losses. Experts also said a proper review of defence costs was needed before any decisions.
Mr Osborne promised a budget within weeks of an election win. Early casualties could include the £20billion Eurofighter/Typhoon.
But he admitted he did not "know what the break clauses are" in the programme.
Meanwhile, Mr Ainsworth said cutting the Trident fleet will be "looked at" if the sea deterrent is not damaged.
And he finally promised troops all they need to fight the Taliban - a victory for The Sun's "Don't you know there's a bloody war on?" campaign.
He also said a "great debt" was owed to the 62 troops killed and 200 wounded in action this summer.
[Source - The Sun]
The Shadow Chancellor said two Royal Navy supercarriers, transport planes and Typhoon fighter jets could be scrapped.
At the same time, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth revealed Labour could CUT the Trident nuclear submarine fleet from four to three to save costs.
And he bowed to The Sun's barrage of criticism by declaring "Afghanistan First" for defence spending.
Mr Osborne's announcement is certain to infuriate senior Conservatives who were not briefed about the plans.
Union chiefs warned of "devastating" defence job losses. Experts also said a proper review of defence costs was needed before any decisions.
Mr Osborne promised a budget within weeks of an election win. Early casualties could include the £20billion Eurofighter/Typhoon.
But he admitted he did not "know what the break clauses are" in the programme.
Meanwhile, Mr Ainsworth said cutting the Trident fleet will be "looked at" if the sea deterrent is not damaged.
And he finally promised troops all they need to fight the Taliban - a victory for The Sun's "Don't you know there's a bloody war on?" campaign.
He also said a "great debt" was owed to the 62 troops killed and 200 wounded in action this summer.
[Source - The Sun]