Posted by Robert Wall at 4/27/2011 5:59 AM CDT
One of the big discussion items here in the U.K. has been what to do in the maritime patrol realm now that the Nimrod MRA4 fleet has been scrapped before even becoming operational.
Peter Luff, the U.K. defense minister for equipment confirms that there have been “discussions with the U.S. government on maritime patrol aircraft capability.”
Asked if the U.K. has explored a lease of P-8 Poseidons from the U.S., Luff says there are “currently no plans to lease” those aircraft.
But, he adds, “we are keeping our future requirements of maritime patrol under review.”
The Strategic Defense & Security Review released last year, which spelled out the decision to terminate the Nimrod MRA4 program, suggested unmanned aircraft may be able to plug some of the operational gaps left after that decision. However, a new defense ministry report pours cold water on that idea. You can read more about that study here.
The U.K. is already buying RC-135 Rivet Joints to eventually replace Nimrod R1 signals intelligence aircraft — with RAF crew currently embedded with the RJ fleet to help get ready for the new platform. A similar set-up is likely in terms of carrier aviation, now that the U.K. has retired its Harrier fleet. That effectively means there is a model on which the U.S. and U.K. could build to prepare British personnel should London eventually opt to acquire — one way or another — the P-8.
Original article can be found here: http://goo.gl/KoNKQ