I absolutely hate that phrase but it seems to have entered common language, Lord Guthrie and Conservative party candidate for Islington South and Finsbury have created a report, published by the Centre for Policy Studies that outlines how the UK can obtain better value for its defence expenditure.
A quick read through reveals some interesting stuff, nothing revolutionary or original but deserves a read.
http://www.cps.org.uk/cps_catalog/more%20bang%20for%20the%20buck2.pdf
Pound more for a pound?
Pretty interesting report.
That the UK spends more than the EU minus France on equipment is shocking.
Both in what the hell are we buying and what the hell arent they buying.
It does of course add further weight to the idea that Continental forces exist to keep people off the unemployment numbers.
Apparently in a single 5 year period the US army cancelled more projects than the MOD has since the war.
The Recommendations are a mixed batch.
They recognise that European Collaboration will always be about workshare more than cost effectiveness, which is good, but still want certain protected sectors, which is bad.
I can see the SME supply chain issue turning into a complete and total SNAFU.
Its easy to say, expect the US to transfer technology, but what if they dont? Buy SU-33′s?
Taken as a whole, they would be improvement, but I still prefer my option, give the Service Chiefs 3% of GDP and tell them to get on with it.
They’ll quickly find out what the most cost effective way to fund air tankering is.