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                                    119been decided to take the Sea Harrier out of service, because we weregoing to have to spend a great deal of money to sustain it through to2012 and it became a question of priorities; in the end we felt that themoney would be better spent elsewhere. So from about 2006 the onlyfixed-wing aircraft which will be capable of embarking in the Invincibleclass carriers will be the GR7s and we will maintain that capability untilthe Joint Strike Fighter enters service with the two new big carriers inaround 2012.Air Mshl Sir Reginald Harland. Perhaps I could expand slightly onwhat CAS has just said about Harriers on carriers, and offer a commentin the general context of much else that we have talked about today. Along time ago I was the Project Officer for the Harrier, withresponsibility for introducing it into service, which we did on time andwithin cost. We had been told, quite clearly, that the aircraft would neverbe used by the Navy. It was equally clear to me that that was ridiculous,so I made an arrangement with John Fozzard, the designer, that nomagnesium would be used except for the wheel hubs, which could bechanged very easily. My point is that it is critical that we look ahead topredict what might happen.I subsequently attended the IDC where, as an exercise, we wererequired to forecast what forces we would need in ten years time. Mysyndicate elected to tackle the problem by drawing up a list of possiblewars, what the nature of those wars might be and what incentives ourGovernment might have to take part. Looking back, and comparing ourforecast with what has actually happened since, I think that the only onethat we missed was the Cod War with Iceland! We considered theFalklands a likely prospect but, with the forces available to us, wedecided that it was not practical to put anything down there, so weconsidered that that problem would have to be solved diplomatically. Ithink that this sort of exercise is essential. We need to predict what mighthappen and what we could do about it in each case. Each Governmentthen needs to be briefed on the position and, if they wish to expand theiroptions, they need to understand the resource implications.Sir Richard Johns. We have done precisely that. It was called theStrategic Defence Review and, yes, the Government was fully aware ofthe outcome. In fact they were kept in the picture throughout the wholedebate, which took up two years of my life! I shall never, never forget it!
                                
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