The AirBoris A330.

[Suff]

It's primary function, now, is to represent the UK when UK diplomats travel around the world.

I like a flexible air force which supports the defence of the nation.

The very first part of defence is convincing others that they don't want to fight you.

Image is all part of the package. If our presence In the world looks like we borrowed whatever broken down military aircraft that was available, then some will believe the image rather than reality.

For 47 years we have chosen to ignore this. It is now time to remember it.

[Workingman]

The RAF Voyager was commissioned as a military air transport and refuelling plane when it was acquired as part of a £10.5bn, 27-year Air Tanker private finance initiative (PFI) contract in 2008 – and was not intended for VIP use. The Voyager fleet of 14 aircraft performs the roles of air-to-air refuelling with troop and / or cargo transpor duties. One is civilian registered for those times when it might be diplomatically indelicate to use a "military" aircraft and it was "repurposed" to a more civilian and comms config but.to allow for a fast change over back to its primary tanker / transport role.

In its new hideous livery it is not suitable for the combat duties it was purchased for, and that comes from military analysts.

If the UK "needs" a Prime Ministerial or VIP jet then the government should have been up-front about it and gone and purchased / leased one solely for that purpose, which has always been the case. It has never had anything to do with the EU.

Does what it says on the tin.

[TheOstrich]

I know, let's paint RN vessels in LGBT rainbow colours, we all know that matelots are a bit fey don't we?

Please don't give them any more ideas.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roya ... 153124.jpg

Nice bit of camouflage on battleship grey ....

[Suff]

Personally I would rather they repurposed a mil spec aircraft with capabilities beyond civilian, then buy a new military aircraft, than buy a civilian aircraft and spend tens of millions (or hundreds), upgrading it.

The replacement VC 25b which will replace the US VC 25a, has a civilian stock aircraft cost of $370m each.

The budget for the Presidential VC 25B is $3.9bn, for 2 planes.

So I have no issue whatsoever in using an existing military plane and buying a new one for the RAF.

I'm sure there would be some questions asked is we ordered a brand new presidential spec Airbus at £1bn, instead of a £10m makeover.

But that is just the way I look at it.

[Workingman]

So the military spec is better than the civilian spec yet a ministerial job will cost £1bn! Where did that come from? Strange numbers when we got 14 'better' planes for £10.5bn over 27 years at about £28m per year each, inc servicing. The £1bn deal would see the UK 'official' jet running for 36 years assuming it was still within hours and pressurisation cycles. It would look a bit sad come its end of days. What was it you were saying about broken down aircraft?

BTW an A330-200 basic is about $240m (£195m) it would be one hell of an upgrade to bring it to £1bn. What's in there, gold taps, diamond chandeliers, champagne filled Jacuzzi and water beds?

Or we could lease one under the same deal as a military version over the same period for a well spread out £756m. I have no problem with getting another plane, but I do have a problem with taking one of the RAF's ever decreasing assets.

And what the straw man, The States, buys and spends on their Presidential plane is irrelevant and has sod all to do with us.

[Suff]

I was pointing out that repurposing an existing milspec aircraft was, to my mind, a far better option than going out and commissioning a whole new blend of civilian and military aircraft.

Of course if they do not replace the aircraft they have taken from the RAF, it will be a poorer deal.

As for the VC25b, it is designedd to be a military command centre in times of catastrophe. It comes with quite a cost. I was just pointing out that repurposing a military aircraft could be very good value. The moment you get government flunkies involved in buying a mode of transport for the government, you really do get platinum coated stopcocks inside the toilet cisterns.....