Exchange Rates
Taking something from an earlier post.
The recent announcement of a substantial purchase of additional Javelin missiles to replace stocks used in Afghanistan shows how the system has found increasing use.
A couple of things spring to mind, the Javelin is a highly sophisticated anti armour missile with either top attack or direct attack modes. At a reported unit cost for the missile of approximately £60-70k and with the self evident lack of Taleban armour it is not being used for its original role of destroying tanks and other armoured vehicles.
Now used as a long range precision means of attacking small units or even individuals up to a couple of thousand metres away. They may of course be of a high value in a local context and better a dead Taleban than a dead or injured infantryman.
It was reported that the Treasury asked the same questions and from a purely financial perspective it may seem poor value for money, the exchange rate being £70k for a $20 AK
But…
Is it a fair question to ask?
Is it a good rate of exchange?
Is there an alternative?