With the near future “deletion” of our Fleet Air capability, i.e. the scrapping of our aircraft carriers and the Harrier jump-jets it is hardly surprising that an element of sabre-rattling is commencing.
HMS Clyde was refused permission to stop in Rio. Clyde is the Royal Navy’s Falkland Islands protection ship and it is being suggested that turning her away from port in Rio de Janeiro is a sign that Brazil’s new left-wing government could be backing Argentine claims to the islands.
I hope the Cameron government is keeping an eye on these actions and hopefully may rescind some of the decisions recently made regarding our navy and the Fleet Air Arm.
WrAnTz 