UK press reports Britain and France could share aircraft carrier capability
Britain and France could share their aircraft carrier capability in a dramatic co-operation pact designed to maintain military power while cutting costs, it has been reported, reports the UK Press Association.
The Ministry of Defence described the report in The Times as “speculation” ahead of the outcome of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, expected next month.
But a source said that ideas for all sorts of co-operation would be “on the table” when Defence Secretary Liam Fox visited Paris for talks with his French counterparts on Friday, and did not exclude the possibility of the aircraft carriers being discussed.
The Times suggested that the proposal could be officially unveiled by Prime Minister David Cameron and French president Nicolas Sarkozy at a summit in November.
Under the arrangement, British and French flagships would work together to defend the interests of both countries, said the paper. The plan would ensure that one of three ships -one French and two British - was always on duty at sea.
And special protocols would be drawn up to make clear what should happen if a uniquely British interest such as the Falkland Islands comes under threat when the French are in charge.
If confirmed, the move could make it easier for the UK to scrap or downgrade one of the two replacement carriers being constructed for the Royal Navy at a cost of £5.2 billion.
The Times quoted a Whitehall source as saying: “Liam has made it clear that we want more co-operation as we have to face up to the world we are living in.
”The advantage is that if we are going to have one carrier, then at least we can project our power on the sea even if we go down to a single carrier.“
But the Ministry of Defence declined to discuss the report.
An MoD spokesman said: ”the Defence Secretary has made clear that tough decisions will need to be made but the complex process of a Strategic Defence and Security Review will be concluded in the autumn. Speculation at this stage about its outcome is entirely unfounded”.
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After all; France and Great Britain have a long history of…. friendship…….
That proves that “minor differences” should and can not hinder cooperation between countries…...
Will be quite interesting to read those: Special protocols about what should happen if a uniquely British interest, such as the Falkland Islands, comes under threat when the French are in charge……. :-)
So we agree that Malvinas, yet again, are a “Special Case” as the C24 so correctly concluded :-)
The Falkland Islands are also of interest to Europe and the explicit mention in the Lisbon Treaty makes Europes position clear. Even Spain distances herself from the Argentines by saying it is a bilateral issue.
1 Think: If it was to happen, the whole point would be that if either nation came under attack, then both nations navy's would spring into action, that would be the only point in having the new system. If the french were in charge at the time, they would be backed up by whatever british ships were in the area and sail on down to the islands. Same as if a frence territory was attacked and we was in charge.
At the same time, calls are being heard for the £30 billion profit expected from the taxpayers' share of the banks to be “ring-fenced” for the armed forces.
If their is a problem in the Falklands (UK) and they might need the help of the French. Do the French really care about helping you in that area they barely have interests in? Remember, their French department (French Guiana) is more secured and has more stable neighbors, Brazil and Surinam (former Dutch Guyana where they Speak English on the west, center Dutch, and in the east French, though their official language is Dutch while the people speak for fun on the streets in their capital NegroEnglish, what is a mix of Dutch, English, Portuguese and African words... fascinating)
okay back to the so called European Army. Are Europeans that really united for an European Army with so many differences in their cultures? I doubt that, and I'm sure the experts who know it better than me, doubt that either.
Nicholas, You are right, currently they have no reason to care about the islands. IF, and i say if. This agreement was to go through, which is doubtfull, then both navys would be automaticly pledged to help eachother, nomatter the conflict in the event of an invasion on eachothers territory, it would be a pact of mutual defence, the french know that we would honor the agreement and aren't affraid of a fight.
It would also boost the power projection of both fleets.
Then you need to read more you idiot, naval vessels are often used in humanitarian efforts to give nations aid and they combat piracy all the time.
What other use, other than killing everyone on the planet has a nuke got?
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