The defence review must be reviewed

Published: 7 April, 2011

• WHILE the country is rightly behind its armed forces, it is nevertheless unwise to ignore some of the flawed decisions this government took in the October defence review.

Even the RAF, and retired air marshals, acknowledge that a no-fly zone off north Africa is best policed by carrier-borne aircraft. The RAF advised the government last autumn that its land-based aircraft could carry out all future tasks were there no aircraft carrier. Why the government listened to  such nonsense is hard to understand. HMS Ark Royal and the Harriers could be run on for four years, at a total cost of £402million – less than the cost of four Typhoon jets. It is clear that the government was well and truly duped by the Brylcreem boys in Whitehall. 

David Cameron must review the defence review now. 

LESTER MAY, Reachview Close, NW1