Libya.

You did quote £50bn, and a Wikipedia link too...

I'm not concerned what we've spent on previous nuclear programmes either. The cost of Trident was quoted as £50bn, which it isn't.

In respect to the loss of 11,000 service personnel not affecting the readiness of the forces (Whilst already in theatre in 2 other Countries) then I'm sorry, but you’re wrong again. It has been made official that there are to be 3,300 Naval personnel axed this year, putting that into perspective - it's the equivalent of 4 Type42 Destroyer's ENTIRE ship's company! It would have a huge affect on the readiness of our forces should we be required to go into another War.

Sorry have a read again, it was forks who quoted 50m not me, i just posted a wiki link to the cost of the trident.

As for 2 theatres? As far as I know we pulled out of Iraq a year ago to focus on Afghan, but never mind maybe you missed that new round?

The type 42 destroyers were never completed so no companies of men were never posted on them, maybe they recruited with the hope but I can't say for sure, neither can you.

But if you want to keep arguing about this then thats fine with me.

Who's arguing?

I have read it again and your quite right it was was Forks who quoted £50bn, you however then waded in, trying to back up his point by pasting Wiki links (which proved nothing) so you effectively quoted/backed up what he was saying, no?

The Type42 Destroyers may never be completed for all I care as that wasn't the point I was trying to make either? I was using it as an example of how the recent cuts will indefinitely have a baring on our current defence should we enter another war, which you said wouldn't, no?

British Troops are still very much active (yes, in Theatre) in Iraq as well as Afgan, so no, I certainly didn't miss that 'round'. Military - mostly Army personnel are based at the military academy in Baghdad undertaking this role alongside other NATO partners. Their role is to train and educate Iraqi military officers. The remaining UK military personnel are assigned to the Defence Attaché, based in the Defence Section of the British Embassy in Baghdad, which is still in a state of threat.

Back to the point > Trident did not cost £50bn and we would be ridiculously stretched to the point where we would be in a very vulnerable position should Iran decide to spit the dummy.

When did this board become a yankie website? "Theatre" FFS!

why are we interfering with other countries internal politics? cos it suits us that’s why. They are going to try and encourage the PRC & NK next.

We deserve to be nuked.

sorry guys I got the figure for Tridents replacement wrong. It's not 50 billion, it's 100 billion
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jul/30/trident-blows-up?INTCMP=SRCH

" If Trident – which could cost almost £100bn over its lifetime – and the carrier programme go ahead as planned, it is estimated by defence officials that they could together eat up half of the entire military procurement budget"

Again, theres nothing in that article that states Trident HAS or even WILL cost £100bn. It's a projected figure that has stated it 'COULD' over it's lifetime - which isn't due to expire until around 2042 anyways.

Working in real terms, to date Trident has not cost anywhere close to £50bn.

"What I do know is that they have an active Nuclear programme and we don't, which scares my a little"
is what you said.
Whatever the true cost of Trident it's in the billions. If that aint an "active nuclear programme " I'd like you to tell me what is?

Iran is well aware that the west and the US in particular want to control the Iranian oil industry and will stop at nothing to get it. If we could have less demonising of them and a less confrontational foreign policy in the region and less knee jerk support for the Israeli ethnic cleansers we might not have any reason to fear Iran. They are just built up as bogey men to justify our grotesque defence budget.

The biggest threat to our security as ordinary punters in the UK is Dave and George and their ruthless cuts.
so sign this http://action.unitetheunion.com/pag...10304BloodMoneyFB&source=20110304BloodMoneyFB

If things had played out differently who knows, perhaps now would have been the time for the people of iraq to overthrow saddam...

A huge at whats going on now... think most of us knew what was coming though.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Video-Libya-Arab-League-Splits-From-West-Over-Libya-Bombing-Campaign-After-Supporting-No-Fly-Zone/Article/201103315956219?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15956219_Video,_Libya:_Arab_League_Splits_From_West_Over_Libya_Bombing_Campaign_After_Supporting_No-Fly_Zone

Nuclear bomb going off in 2012. Enjoy cocaine while you can.