Sea trials have been ongoing for some time for the latest generation of UK Submarines. Defense Secretary Philip Hammond has been quick to say that faults discovered during the trials are par for the course. That is as he said why there are such trials.
Much has been made of the amount of people employed on the contracts to build these submarines and the boost to the economy. The cost of the work does however seem excessive when the same government are cutting services left right and centre.
HMS Audacious is to be the fourth submarine built and BAE Systems has won the £1.2bil contract to complete the work. Whilst it is positive that the contract at least went to British workers you have to wonder if the money could not have been invested more wisely.
The building of Audacious will guarantee 3,000 jobs at BAE Systems in Barrow, For those who will work on the contract and the vessel it will be good news. It at least means work if only for a limited time. Audacious will be an hunter-killer, attack submarine.
The BBC has reported that "The first two boats, HMS Astute and Ambush, are currently undergoing sea trials. The third boat, Artful, is reaching the final stages of her construction at Barrow shipyard. All three are to be based at Faslane on the Clyde."
We wonder what will happen should the Scots become independent of the UK.
The government has committed a further £1.5bil to build three more submarines. Further costs will follow.
OPINION
We always seem to have money to burn for destruction. Would such vessels be used to protect the UK? More likely is that they will be used to interfere in other countries and become embroiled in pointless conflicts. Surely it is time we moved away from overspending on destruction and invested in positive industries. For those who have been told that they will have to put up with their pittance to live on as there is no money it ois yet another slap in the face.
Much has been made of the amount of people employed on the contracts to build these submarines and the boost to the economy. The cost of the work does however seem excessive when the same government are cutting services left right and centre.
HMS Audacious is to be the fourth submarine built and BAE Systems has won the £1.2bil contract to complete the work. Whilst it is positive that the contract at least went to British workers you have to wonder if the money could not have been invested more wisely.
The building of Audacious will guarantee 3,000 jobs at BAE Systems in Barrow, For those who will work on the contract and the vessel it will be good news. It at least means work if only for a limited time. Audacious will be an hunter-killer, attack submarine.
The BBC has reported that "The first two boats, HMS Astute and Ambush, are currently undergoing sea trials. The third boat, Artful, is reaching the final stages of her construction at Barrow shipyard. All three are to be based at Faslane on the Clyde."
We wonder what will happen should the Scots become independent of the UK.
The government has committed a further £1.5bil to build three more submarines. Further costs will follow.
OPINION
We always seem to have money to burn for destruction. Would such vessels be used to protect the UK? More likely is that they will be used to interfere in other countries and become embroiled in pointless conflicts. Surely it is time we moved away from overspending on destruction and invested in positive industries. For those who have been told that they will have to put up with their pittance to live on as there is no money it ois yet another slap in the face.
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