Expenditure on British Fixed Wing Combat Aircraft since 1967 and the Operational Return on this Investment

By the Editor: The author commanded 801 NAS during the 1982 Falklands War. From the perspective of a decorated fast jet combat veteran he proffers a hard-hitting personal view on the true return on investment when it comes to carrier borne fixed wing combat aircraft. This article is a précis of a more extensive memorandum evaluating British military investment on fixed wing combat aircraft since 1967 (the date of cancelation of CVA-01). Introduction The taxpayer and the government are probably not fully aware of the magnitude of investment that has been made in land-based British military fixe…