UK will Acquire Another C-17 Amidst Critism of Military Weakness

Prime Minister David Cameron announced that the United Kingdom will buy a another Boeing C-17 military plane to improve troops mobilization.

This will be Britain’s 8^th C-17 and Cameron said that it is an important investment for the country. The mission in Libya highlighted the importance of transport aircraft, especially in evacuating civilians.

This announcement by Cameron came at the heels of criticisms that military is weakening caused by wide-range budget cuts.

A Defence Committee report suggested that the UK would have a hard time in staging an operation similar to its Libya mission. Massive defense cuts can severely affect the military’s capabilities.

“The real test is whether the success of this mission was a one-off or whether the lessons it has highlighted mean that future such missions can be successfully undertaken, whilst maintaining the U.K.’s capability to protect its interests elsewhere,” said committee Chairman James Arbuthnot.

Britain participated in the NATO-led operation on Libya before the 8% budget cut on the military was implemented. The committee questions how can the military perform a similar operation in the future should the need arises. A limited budget would bring out great challenges to stage such mission.

The Defense Committee is also distressed future NATO Operation will rely heavily on the US Military to provide unmanned aerial vehicles, intelligence, and fueling aircraft.

“For the time being, there will continue to be a heavy reliance on U.S. command and control functions for future NATO operations,” the committee said. “It should be a priority for NATO to examine this over-reliance on U.S. capabilities and assets.”

The committee also observed that with the budget cuts, participating in NATO operations would cause the military to neglect other commitments. While it commends the Royal Navy for evacuating the civilians from Libya, it noted that this action hindered the navy to be able to provide escort and carry out counter-drug operations.

But Defense Secretary Phillip Hammond disagreed with the report. He said that the participation of the military in Libya highlighted the UK’s military power around the world. It is capable to performing its missions while keeping its commitments to other area of interest like in Afghanistan and the Gulf.

“We retain the capability to project power abroad and meet our NATO obligations, supported by what is the world’s fourth largest defense budget,” Hammond said.

source: http://www.cbsnews.com

British Airways Get a Make-Over for 2012 Olympics

British Airways planes will get a new look just in time for the London 2012 Games. Designed by a celebrated artist from Brighton, the aircraft will be repainted with a special dove design. Pascal Anson, 38, beats hundreds of competitors for his design to be chosen for programme of BA Great Britons. Under the guidance of Royal Academician Tracey Emin, Anson is in the process of adding the finishing touches to the design.

Anson’s design will be painted on 12 members of the British Airways fleet. A mixture of long and short haul airplanes, which includes a Boeing A319, would be the canvas for his design.

The design concept started on Anson’s visit to London. He was watching an airplane lands and wonders if it is a bird or a plane. He thought a dove will be perfect because it is a symbol of peace and unity. Moreover, dove had been used in previous Olympics as well as the last games held in London in 1948.

Tracy Emin praised Anson’s design, “It would have been easy to put a motif or a pattern on the side of an aircraft – but Pascal’s design takes it to another level. He uses the entire livery of the aircraft to redefine the way you look at it. The dove is a stunning piece of work and will bring real excitement to anyone who flies on one of the repainted planes.”

British Airways is a proud sponsor of London Games 2012. It operates one of the largest and sophisticated airlines in the world. Its fleet includes Boeing 777-300, Boeing 757-200 and Boeing 747-400 and many more sleek and modern aircraft models.

The newly-designed airplanes will be unveiled on April 2012.

Source: stanfordmercury.co.uk