NationStates Jolt Archive

Once amongst the elite of armament exporters, the UK lost much ground during the mass emigrations that birthed so many Nation States around the world. Since the rise to power of John Bull’s British Industrial Democrats it has been the intention of the government to restore something of that reputation.
A major programme of re-nationalisation and some significant redistribution of control affected a number of leading military contractors and armaments factories. Today The Federal United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland looks to begin again its tradition of arming the civilised world in defence of democracy and humanity.
London maintains its right to veto potential contracts between British firms and foreign authorities.

Military aircraft available for export

Fixed Wing-

Hawker Siddeley GR9B Harrier
The Harrier “Jump Jet” is unquestionably one of the modern world’s most famous military aircraft, having served in a number of configurations for British, Spanish, Italian, and American forces, amongst others, and engaged in the Falklands and the first Gulf War. Hawker Siddeley manufactures the single-seat GR9B for the Royal Air Force, which employs the proven airframe in the support of ground forces and secondarily in an air-to-air role.
Technical Data
A new Rolls Royce engine that gives a performance close to Mach 1 (in level flight, with Mach 1.3 reachable in a dive) powers the GR9B. Ceiling is in the area of 15,000 metres (50,000 ft).
Armament consists of AIM-132 ASRAAM, free-fall and guided bombs, unguided rockets, Brimstone AGM, and 30mm Aden cannon pods.
Standard cost
The GR9B is expected to sell at £12 million per unit (in the region of US$22million), but as ever the size of a contract may have a bearing on the cost of a production run.
Image (http://www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/images/camm_harrier_gr7_500.jpg)

BAe Sea Harrier 3
A true multi-role aircraft, the Sea Harrier is of course related to the previously offered Harrier ground attack aircraft. Optimised for ship-borne operation, the Sea Harrier can operate from small carriers such as the Invincible Class, and can combat threats in the air, on land, or at sea. The Sea Harrier 3 is basically similar to the FA2 (fighter/attack), which is a development of the FRS1 (fighter/reconnaissance/strike) carrying more advanced avionics and the Blue Vixen radar.
Technical Data
Power is provided by a Rolls-Royce Pegasus vectored-thrust turbofan, which gives 9,752kg (21,500lb) of dry thrust and allows speeds of around 1,186kp/h (736mph/639kt). Ceiling is 15,600m (51,200ft), and maximum range about 1,480km (800nm). Armament is carried on four under-wing and three under-fuselage pylons, and may consist variously of 30mm Aden Cannon pods (usually two under-fuselage), free-fall and guided bombs, unguided rockets, Brimstone air-to-ground missiles, Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles, AIM-132 ASRAAM, and Mica AMRAAM. It is also possible that the aircraft may be configured to operate American AIM-9 Sidewinder and AMRAAM, Harpoon, or French Magic II AAMs.
Standard Cost
£12 million (US$22million)
Image (http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Images/Harrier12.jpg)

Panavia Tornado
Tornado is yet another highly distinctive combat aircraft produced in the UK and serving across the world. Britain, Germany, Italy, Saudia Arabia, and Oman are amongst this swing-wing aircraft’s user countries. It is produced (in Britain) by British Aerospace.
Existing in British production and service in two versions, Tornado is available both as ground-attack platform and interceptor.
GR4Z is the current ground attack version, F3Z the interceptor. The latest (Z) versions of Tornado, commissioned since PM Bull’s rise to power incorporate a number of minor improvements mainly facilitated by the UK’s new commitment to performance over cost-cutting, in contrast to the former –reversed- situation. Today the Z series Tornado are primarily single-role aircraft designed to serve with an air force that is prepared to spend what needs to be spent, rather than seeking to cut corners and make do, as this is no longer deemed possible in the vast Nation States world around us.
Tornado F3Z is able to receive data directly from AEW aircraft and even other fighters, giving it an exceptional view of a battle and actually enabling an individual aircraft to select and close on a target without targeting it directly. This averts the early warning that would be given by locking-on with the attacking fighter’s own radar, and as such leaves the enemy with poor warning and liable to be confused. Targeting by the attacking aircraft need only be done in the final moments before launching missiles
Technical Data
Powerplant is two Turbo-Union RB199s giving 2,336km/h (1,452mph/Mach 2.2) at 11,000m (36,000ft.) or 1,140km/h (710mph) at sea level.
Crew is two man; pilot and weapons-systems-operator.
Armament/other combat systems depends on type (GR4Z/F3Z)
The GR4Z ground attack aircraft carries- Emitter Location System, ALARM, AIM-132 ASRAAM, 27mm Mauser cannon, unguided rockets, laser-guided and free-fall bombs, Brimstone AGM, and Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
The F3Z interceptor carries- 27mm Mauser cannon, four under-wing AIM-132 ASRAAM, four under-fuselage Skyflash AAM or Mica AMRAAM.
Standard cost
£14million (around US$25+million)
Image (http://www.machloop.co.uk/ARWEL%20F3.JPG)

SEPECAT Jaguar GR3/T4
An Anglo-French project recently upgraded in British service. The Jaguar GR3 is now a potent fighter bomber, while the T4 is a two-seat trainer.
The upgrade included improved avionics including Global Positioning System (GPS) and Terrain-Referenced Navigation (TRN) , Night Vision Goggles (NVG) compatible lighting (both internally and externally), helmet-mounted sight and ASRAAM capability, and new Head-Up and Head-Down Displays in the cockpit. It can also carry extra sensor-pods for reconnaissance duties. The plane is capable of in-flight refuelling
Technical Data
Powerplant is two Turbomeca/Rolls-Royce Adour turbofans giving a top-speed of 1,700km/h (1,056mph). Ceiling is over 12,000m (40,000ft)
Armament consists of two 30mm Aden cannon and up to 4,500kg (10,000lb) of stores which may be free-fall or laser-guided bombs including 1,000 pound and cluster bombs, CRV-7 rocket pods, Brimstone AGM, and two AIM-132 ASRAAM for self-defence.
Standard cost
£12.5million (around US$23million)
Image (http://www.scramble.nl/mil/1/raf/gfx/photos/main-jaguar.jpg)

BAe Hawk LIFT
Lead-In Flight Trainer series
Another world-famous aircraft of British origin, the Hawk has for decades served countless nations in a number of roles. Flying in one variant for the US navy as the T-45 Goshawk, and in others for nations as diverse as Kenya, Switzerland, Malaysia, Finland, and Australia, the Hawk is a reliable and versatile aircraft ideal for training new pilots and still able to fight hard in its own right. The Hawk LIFT is designed to prepare an entirely new generation of pilots for service in aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon or Saab Gripen.
This aircraft features greatly improved avionics and cockpit, and its HUD systems can be adapted for each customer, depending upon the systems likely to be encountered by pilots once they move on to flying combat aircraft in the buying nation.
BAe states that the new Hawk shall have up to four times the fatigue life of older variants, making it a good long-term investment and hard-wearing piece of technology. The aircraft boasts an airframe health and usage monitoring system to keep track of this.
Technical Data
Currently powered by a long-life Rolls-Royce Adour 900 engine, the Hawk is capable of 1,000km/h (620mph/540kt), and has a roughly 2,520km (1,565mile) range and 13,565m (44,500ft) ceiling. Armament, if desired, may consist of AIM-132 ASRAAM or AIM-9 Sidewinder, rocket-pods, bombs, and potentially other IR-guided AAMs that may be used by individual customers.
Standard Cost
While cost may vary where nations wish small runs with unusual cockpit arrangement or weapons configuration, the basic estimate is for about £9million (US$16.5million) per unit.
Image (http://www.futura-dtp.dk/Flysiden/images/HawkLIFT.jpg)

BAe Nimrod MRA4
Based on the groundbreaking Comet civilian airliner, the Nimrod is unique in being a jet powered long-range maritime patrol aircraft. It combines the usual long range expected of aircraft in this role with advantages in speed and ceiling, and while propeller-driven aircraft give-off a resonance that can be detected by submerged vessels, the Nimrod’s buried jet engines are virtually undetectable to the same targets. The MRA4 is significantly upgraded, with new electronics and a mid-air refuelling capacity.
Technical Data
Powerplant is four Rolls-Royce/BMW BR710 turbofan engines giving a top speed of 926km/h (575mph). Maximum endurance is around ten hours.
Crew is typically thirteen, though there is accommodation for up to twenty-five.
Armament and other equipment comes in the form of up to nine Stingray torpedoes, bombs, and Sea Eagle or Harpoon missiles stored internally, Sidewinder or ASRAAM missiles under wing for opportunity attacks against opposing surveillance aircraft, a range of air-deliverable dinghies, survival packs and other stores and up to 150 sonobuoys of various sorts.
Standard Cost
£50million (around US$90million) but subject to significant reduction should large orders be forthcoming.
Image (http://www.flowmaster.com/images/nimrod_mra4_1.gif)

BAe Nimrod R1
To create an electronic surveillance version of the venerable Nimrod, the original maritime equipment was removed from the airframe and replaced with a highly sophisticated and sensitive suite of systems used for reconnaissance and the gathering of electronic intelligence. The ability of the Nimrod to loiter for long periods, following a high-speed dash to the required area of operation, make the aircraft ideally suited to this task.
Technical data is similar to the maritime reconnaissance version, but this type does not generally carry armament. The aircraft appears externally very similar to that version.
Standard cost
£54million (around US$98million), partly due to the small number of conversions yet carried-out.

BAe Nimrod AEW.3
An airborne early warning system attempted some years ago, prior to the rise of the British Industrial Democratic Party, and abandoned in favour of US systems because it was deemed too big a job for Britain alone. A red rag to PM Bull! On his election, John Bull made the reactivation of this project a flagship in his fleet of industrial recoveries. Appearing fairly similar to other Nimrod variants, the AEW.3 has a bulbous nose, and a tail boom that houses radar equipment. Electronically, the AEW.3 is said to be similarly capable –and presumably marginally superior- to the E-3 Sentry that it replaces. The government is said to be very keen to promote this aircraft as an alternative to the pervasive American systems, with the PM saying, “well it’s got those swinging sixties lines, it’s just not so ugly as the competition!”
Standard cost
£132million (around US$243million)
Image (http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~8sqnwad/images/nim3.jpg)

English Electric Canberra
A ground breaking design actually born in the 1940s as a medium bomber. Another classic of British engineering and pioneering that has outlived generations of competitors, the Canberra is now employed by the RAF as a photo-reconnaissance and mapping jet, aerodynamic research vehicle, and electronic intelligence gathering platform. English and Electric and Short Brothers of Belfast can today produce the Canberra for those missions, for museum and private collections, and as a bomber for (responsible) cash-strapped forces.
Technical Data
Powerplant is in the form of two Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets giving a top-speed of 876km/h (547mph). Range is more than 5,800km (over 3,600miles) in ferry mode, and 1,295km (805miles) in combat. Usual service ceiling is about 14,630m (48,000ft), but variants have climbed far beyond that.
Crew is usually two persons.
Armament in the bomber role affords a payload slightly over 3,600kg (8,000lb) of internal and external bombs, and rocket packs. Usually electronic surveillance equipment or cameras would be fitted instead, along with countermeasures.
Standard Cost
£2million (around US$3.7million) in basic form, specific equipment significantly alters cost.
Image (http://www.raf.mod.uk/downloads/g_images/canberra01.jpg)

Vickers-Armstrong VC-10 C1K
Another elegant design, the VC-10 serves as a passenger, freight, and tanker aircraft in one. As a transport, the VC-10 has accommodation for 150 passengers and 9 crew. By use of a large freight door on the aircraft’s left side, it can accept NATO standard pallets, and vehicles, up to a total of 20,500kg (45,000lb). Up to 76 stretchers may be fitted for medical evacuation roles. As an aerial refuelling tanker, the VC-10 uses its own fuel stowage of 70,000kg (154,000lb) to serve up to two other aircraft. The VC-10 itself may refuel from another tanker aircraft.
Technical Data
Powerplant is four Rolls-Royce Conway 301 turbofans giving up to 830km/h (518mph) cruise speeds and 5,800km (3,600mile) range. Service ceiling is 11,580m (38,000ft).
Standard Cost
£24million (around US$44million)
Image (http://www.raf.mod.uk/downloads/g_images/vc1004.jpg)

Rotary Wing-

GKN Westland/Agusta Merlin HC3, HM Mk 1
Developed in a joint venture between Britain and Italy, the Merlin is one of the world’s most sophisticated anti-ship/submarine warfare helicopters, and does not let this diminish its capacity as a medium-lift transport helicopter. It can also be deployed in tracking and surveillance, search and rescue, and even airborne early warning roles, deployed either from ship or from shore.
In Royal Navy service the Merlin HM Mk1 has replaced the famous Sea King Mk6 in the anti-submarine warfare role, to which it is well suited. Sophisticated onboard sensors and computers allow the HM Mk1 to autonomously search for, locate, and attack enemy submarines, making it uniquely capable amongst ASW helicopters. Its Flash sonar can search to a depth of 2,000feet, and the helicopter can loiter for 90 minutes on ASW missions with a radius of 200 nautical miles. Using its over-the-horizon surface radar, Merlin can search a 200,000sq-km area in a single four-hour mission, and relay information back to allied command ships.
The HC3 is used by the Royal Air Force, where it is flown as a support helicopter bringing troops, weapons, and supplies to the field, and evacuating casualties.
Technical Data
Three Rolls-Royce TURBOMECA RTM 322 02/8 engines with individual fuel supplies and a hover in-flight refuelling capacity power Merlin. Top speed is 167knots, with a 150knot cruising speed. Crew is usually three, with pilot, observer, and aircrewman.
Armament in HM Mk1 ASW configuration may be four Stingray torpedoes, depth charges, or any of a range of air to surface weapons, including sea-skimming anti-ship missiles. There is also the capacity to fit guns by removing windows, or through the starboard cargo door or port crew door. In HC3 armament is usually two 7.62x51mm GPMG mounted through the port and starboard cabin windows.
The HC3 can carry 24 combat equipped troops, or the seats folded away can carry a small vehicle, and can take under-slung loads.
Laser and Radar warning receivers, as well as countermeasures are fitted.
Standard Cost
HC3 transport- £22million (around US$40.5million), HM Mk1 ASW- £24million (around US$44million)
Image (http://www.clash-of-steel.co.uk/gallery/pages/med/m_AREH101Merlin1.jpg)

GKN Westland/Augusta Super Lynx 300
Another world-beater, the Lynx was made famous by high performance in its original format. Now modernised as Super Lynx, several versions of the aircraft serve the Royal Navy and the British Army as well as foreign nations from South Korea to Germany, and serves in a variety of environments from ship and shore in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Technical Data
The helicopter is built from composite materials and light alloys, and the cabin can transport up to nine troops while loads of 1,360kg may be under-slung.
Armament may be four Sea Skua anti-ship missiles, depth charges, or torpedoes, and machineguns may be mounted. A variety of other equipment may be carried, including sonar for detection or communication, reconnaissance cameras, and magnetic anomaly detectors. Power is provided by two Rolls Royce Gem 42-1 turboshaft engines which each provide 835kW. Range with standard tanks is 685km.
Standard Cost
£16million (around US$29million)
Image (http://www.aeronautics.ru/img003/lynx04.jpg)


Information on relevant munitions

P3I AIM-132 ASRAAAM. Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile replaces AIM-9 Sidewinder in British service. Built by BAe, the weapon uses thrust-vectoring to increase agility. Its operational range is from 300m to more than 16km (over 10 miles) and speed in excess of Mach 3.5. A 10kg blast/fragmentation warhead is carried. Guidance is strapdown inertial and Imaging Infrared.

Skyflash
A medium range, supersonic, radar-guided air-to-air missile, Skyflash is essentially a British improved AIM-7 Sparrow missile. The weapon is optimised to confront high-countermeasure environments, but its semi-active guidance means that the launching aircraft must maintain a lock until impact. Speed is well in excess of Mach 2, and range is around 50km (over 30 miles).

Brimstone AGM is capable of defeating the latest explosive-reactive armour fitted to some modern tanks. It is a fire-and-forget weapon able to operate by day or night in adverse weather conditions. Derived from the American Hellfire, Brimstone is actually a system comprising three missiles and a launcher. Range is about 8km (5 miles). Alenia Marconi Systems are today the prime contractors in the production of Brimstone.

Storm Shadow
An air-launched cruise-missile designed to operate in most conditions to destroy command centres, bridges, airfield facilities, and other static high-value targets. Range is over 250km (160 miles) and cruise velocity is well over Mach 0.8.

ALARM
Air-Launched-Anti-Radiation-Missile. This is Britain’s answer to the American Harm. During the latest Balkan conflict more than 100 American HARM missiles were fired against a Serbian radar site. The position survived by deactivating its radar and thus fooling the weapons into missing every time. Eventually the Americans requested British help, and a single ALARM missile destroyed the target that hundreds of millions of dollars worth of American hardware had been wasted against to no result. It is as such clearly arguable that the ALARM is more than a hundred times more potent that HARM. ALARM is launched at low-level near a suspected enemy radar target, and then climbs to 12,000m where it is able to go inactive when a target is lost, deploying a small parachute and descending slowly. When -assuming the threat passed- the target goes on-line again, ALARM reactivates and achieves the kill in a supersonic dive. Range is over 90km (almost 60 miles).

Stingray
A homing torpedo amongst the fastest in its class, the Stingray is optimised for anti-submarine operation. The seeker head of the torpedo is able to home on to submarine targets either passively (by following the noise the submarine makes) or actively (by pinging with its own sonar, and following the sound energy reflected by the target).

Harpoon
A well-known American-origin anti-ship missile employed by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. It is widely suspected that Britain is pursuing a replacement, either domestically or potentially as part of a co-operative venture with Commonwealth partners.

Sea Eagle
This is a British anti-ship missile built by BAe. Capable of active radar homing and powered by a turbojet, the 4.15m long missile carries a roughly 230kg armour-piercing warhead to an impressive range of 130km. Coupled with its fire-and-forget, sea-skimming, Mach 1.1 flight, the weapon’s range makes it a formidable foe expecting little risk of its launch aircraft. This weapon may be fitted to Sea Harrier, Jaguar, Tornado, Buccaneer, Merlin, Sea King, and even some varieties of Hawk.

Ground Based Heavy Military Systems

MBDA JERNAS (Rapier Field Standard C) Air Defence Missile System
Once set to be called Mongoose, Rapier’s name was altered purportedly because nobody knew the plural form of Mongoose. Since that amusing conception, Rapier has gone on to serve around the world with British and foreign forces. An older version deployed in the Falkland Islands claimed multiple confirmed kills against aggressing Argentine aircraft, and ten years later work began on a new variant. Known in British service as Rapier FSC, this entered service in 1996 and is available for export as JERNAS.
JERNAS comprises Rapier MK2 missiles and launcher, Blindfire tracking and Dagger surveillance radar units.
The system can defend against low-level fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned drones, cruise missiles, and even multiple stealthy targets.
Technical Data
JERNAS firing unit mounts eight launch-ready missiles, which can be manually reloaded within two minutes without the use of mechanical aids.
The system’s rotatable turret is able to provide 360-degree air defence coverage
Mobility: JERNAS can be towed behind medium-sized vehicles and is air-portable by transport planes or helicopter.
Missile: Missile weight is 43kg, and legth 2.24m. Guidance is automatic infrared and radar command to line of sight. Propulsion is a solid-fuel rocket from UK Rocket Motors. Warhead is high-explosive fragmentation with a laser-proximity fuse. Speed is around Mach 2.5 and manoeuvrability in excess of 30G. Single shot kill probability is reputed to be better than 90%
Engagement Range: Around 9km (5.6 miles)
Radar: Dagger has a detection range of 32km and an elevation of 5km and can detect seventy-five threats per second. Clutter rejection algorithms and electronic-countermeasure-resistance are displayed, and transmissions are automatically switched-off when the system detects an anti-radiation missile.
Blindfire’s output is powerful enough to cut-through most jamming signals and the system uses advanced frequency management to evade countermeasures.
A passive-infrared electro-optic tracking device can be used in scanning mode to provide passive target detection and acquisition in radar-silent operations
Reaction time is less than five seconds.
Standard Cost
£12million (around US$22million)
Image (http://www.army-technology.com/projects/jernas/images/jernas3.jpg)


Alvis Vickers Challenger 2E Main Battle Tank
One of the most heavily protected armoured vehicles on the planet, Challenger 2 (CR2) is the current front-line MBT serving the nation that invented the concept of the tank. The 2E is the latest development model built for export and suitable for harsh climactic conditions. Further to the MBT there exists a dedicated Driver Training Tank, which may also be here procured.
Technical Data
Crew is four persons, commander, driver, gunner, and loader.
A 1,500hp Europack with an MTU 883 diesel engine powers Challenger 2E, and as this is smaller and more powerful than the former powerplant is allows for greater fuel stowage and a range of 550km. Top speed is at or above 59km/h on the road despite a 62,500kg weight.
The tank’s dimensions are 8.3metres in length (11.5metres with gun forward), 3.5metres in width, and 2.5metres in height.
Primary armament is one 120mm rifled L30 gun from BAE Systems Royal Ordnance, built from electro-slag refined steel and fitted with a thermal sleeve and fume extractor. Elevation is from –10 to +20 degrees. Ammunition stowage is for fifty rounds including APFSDS, HESH, and smoke rounds, as well as depleted uranium rounds. The Canadian fire control system is essentially an improved version of that fitted in American Abrams tanks. Secondarily there is a coaxial 7.62mm chaingun and a cupola-mounted 7.62mm GPMG L37A2 for anti-aircraft defence.
Protection is by second generation Chobham armour, still a protected British secret, and the tank is fitted with an NBC protection system. As well as being able to fire smoke rounds from its main gun, Challenger 2 mounts ten L8 smoke grenade launchers and can –like many Soviet-bloc AVs- lay a smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust.
Standard Cost
£2.5million (around US$4.6million)
Image (http://www.army-technology.com/projects/challenger2/images/chal1.jpg)

Alvis Vickers Warrior Mechanised Combat Vehicle family
Essentially a fighting armoured personnel carrier built in the finest British tradition that makes it amongst the world’s best protected. Well known incidents of Warrior’s incredible survivability occurred in the war torn years before PM Bull’s rise to power. Dramatic BBC TV footage showed one vehicle rolling over a Serbian anti-tank mine, suffering little or no damage as a result where most ICVs would have been blown to smithereens, their crew likely to be killed. In another well reported incident in Iraq, before the newly elected BID Party withdrew British forces, a Warrior was hit by at least seven rocket propelled anti-tank grenades while on patrol and was able to return safely to base. In the same conflict, similar weapons knocked-out several American Abrams main battle tanks. Warrior is said to be one of the most reliable vehicles of its type.
Technical Data
Basic Warrior section vehicle in service with British forces is fitted with a two man turret mounting a deadly stabilised 40mm Case Telescoped Weapon System (CTWS), ammunition handling system, computerised fire control and day/thermal sighting system, a co-axial 7.62mm chain gun, and smoke grenade dischargers deploying Royal Ordnance Visual and Infra Red Screening Smoke (VIRSS). The new CTWS replaces a 30mm cannon which in itself was able to take-out most other IVs from a mile away. CTWS ammunition is wholly contained within the cartridge, which confers the advantages of high-density storage and, via the use of lightweight materials, a high mass efficiency. The shape of the ammunition also enables novel gun design approaches, which provide space and mass efficiencies. The gun system has been designed to vastly increase reliability by eliminating over 50% of a conventional gun's most unreliable parts. Warrior has received a wider-ranging mid-life improvement under the BID government, fitting it with a digital Fire Control System and Thales Optronics Battle Group Thermal Imaging programme and Bowman Communication System to allow improved performance and nigh-fighting abilities. Warrior Section Vehicle carries several hundred 40mm and 2,000x7.62mm rounds, and can also mount two TOW missile launchers on the turret sides, with four missiles carried internally. Armour proofs the vehicle and crew to 14.5mm armour piercing rounds, 155mm air burst shell fragments, and 9kg anti-tank mines. Appliqué armour can be fitted to further improve protection.
Combat weight is 25,700kg, length is 6.34 metres, width 3 metres, height 1.93 metres to hull roof and 2.79 metres to turret roof. Ground clearance is about 0.5 metres.
Powered by a 550hp Perkins Rolls-Royce Condor CV8 TCA V-8 diesel engine, Warrior can achieve speeds of 75kp/h forward and 48kp/h in reverse, and has a range of 660km. It can ford 1.3 metres and negotiate vertical obstacles of 0.75 metres and trenches of 2.5 metres.
The Section Vehicle carries a crew of three (commander, driver, gunner) plus seven troops with supplies and weapons for 48 hours of battle in NBC conditions.
Variants
Basic Section Vehicle has been described above.
Reconnaissance Vehicle carries extra armour across the front and over the suspension, and has the capacity to carry a fourth crew member (reconnaissance officer) and extra surveillance equipment.
Command Vehicle with extra communications equipment.
Repair and Recovery Vehicle
Combat Repair Vehicle
Mechanised Artillery Observation Vehicle
Battery Command Vehicle which serves the Royal Artillery.
Milan ATGW Carrier
Mortar Carrier produced for export and able to mount mortars in the order of 80mm.
Standard Cost
£2million (around US$3.7million) (OOC: Nb. I have given this as a basic unit cost because I do not want to try valuing each variant individually. This would be hard enough for a casual observer such as myself to do in the real world, let alone given the totally different production environment and scale of Bull’s government in the NS universe. I don’t think that many people work out their spending to the penny, anyway, so I personally am content to assume exact payment worked out behind the scenes by our governments and companies.)
Image (http://www.ifrance.com/ArmyReco/europe/Angleterre/vehicules_legers/MCV-80/Warrior_MCV-80_Infantery_Armoured_Fighting_Vehicle_Irqa_War_UK_British_06.jpg)

FV101 Alvis Scorpion and family
Withdrawn from British service some years ago, Alvis has been encouraged to re-start production of the famous Scorpion reconnaissance vehicle following interest from abroad. Scorpion spawned a large family of quick AVs serving a wide range of battlefield roles for an equally diverse range of nations.
Technical Data-
Scorpion is powered by a Perkins diesel engine giving a top speed of over 80kph and range of over 600km. Provided mainly with aluminium armour averaging around 25mm thick, Scorpion is a lightweight AV, weighing in at little more than 8,000kg.
Crewed by three men, the vehicle’s standard armament consists of a 76mm gun effective to around a thousand metres, and a coaxial 7.62mm machinegun. Four smoke grenade dischargers are also carried. Ammunition for the main gun includes HESH (High Explosive Squash Head), HE, and smoke, and some 40 rounds are carried.
Scorpion’s performance includes a 1 metre fording ability with amphibious potential after preparation. It is fitted with an NBC system and night vision equipment as standard.
With over 3,500 vehicles built for home and export, Scorpion has been provided over the years with a wide range of optional equipment. Such modifications may be made at the buyer’s request, and include replacement of the 76mm gun with a 90mm cannon, addition of an anti-aircraft machinegun, fitting of different fire-control systems, laser range-finder, and air conditioning.
Variants-
FV102 Striker is an ATGW carrier armed with five fire-ready British Aerospace Dynamics Swingfire missiles and five more carried internally. Swingfire is a wire-guided missile with a HEAT warhead and has a range of 4,000m. It can be fired during day and night conditions.
FV103 Spartan is a specialised APC meant to carry engineer assault or MANPAD teams and, carrying just four additional persons, is not meant as a standard personnel carrier. Usually armed with a 7.62mm machinegun, Spartan can mount a two-man turret carrying two Euromissile Milan ATGWs launch-ready, Hughes TOW ATGWs, or twin 20mm cannon. ZB 298 ground surveillance radar may be mounted on Spartan’s roof.
Stormer is a full-blown APC weighing 12,700kg and carrying eight troops. Armament varies greatly, including 7.62mm and 12.7mm machineguns, 20mm, 25mm or 30mm cannon, or 76mm or 90mm guns. Variants include 81mm and 120mm mortar carriers, Shorts Starstreak HVM air defence version with eight fire-ready missiles on an unmanned turret, minelayer, engineer and recovery vehicles and armoured ambulance. Optional equipment includes NBC systems, night vision equipment, land navigation systems, a floatation screen, and firing ports.
FV106 Samson armoured recovery vehicle is meant to recover other vehicles of the Scorpion family.
FV104 Samaritan armoured ambulance has a higher roof.
Standard Cost-
£900,000 (around US$1.66million)
Stormer variants especially tend to be more expensive, but exact cost depends on configuration.
Image (http://www.janes.com/defence/land_forces/supplement/lav/Scorpion.jpg)

BAE Systems Royal Ordnance AS90 Braveheart 155mm self propelled gun
The latest version of the standard British SPG, Braveheart enjoys increased performance thanks to a new, longer 52-calibre barrel. This now also fires new Velocity Enhanced Long-range Artillery Projectile (VLAP). In trials, two AS90 howitzers were able to deliver a total payload of 261kg onto a single target in less than 10 seconds.
Technical Data
An automated loading system enables the gun to fire with a burst rate of 3 rounds in under 10 seconds, an intense rate of 6 rounds per minute in three minutes and a sustained rate of 2 rounds per minute.
Firing range is in excess of 30km with standard ammunition and more than 40km with extended range ammunition.
Armour is of all welded steel and is rated to protect against armour piercing 14.5mm rounds and 152mm shell fragments.
Power plant is a 660hp Cummins V8 diesel engine giving 55kph top speed. Range is 350km.
Crew is five men, and secondary armament is usually one 7.62mm machinegun mounted for anti-air defence.
Standard Cost
£2.2million (around US$4million)
Image (http://www.army-technology.com/projects/as90/images/as90_8.jpg)

Land Rover family light vehicles
Over fifteen thousand various Land Rovers serve with the British Army, undertaking countless roles in all manner of environments and capacities. Owing to the number and variety of vehicles based around the basic chassis, several companies have been involved in making vehicles on this theme.
Known as the Truck Utility Light/Medium (TUL/TUM), the vehicles can be tailored to suit the needs of a force (or customer!). The vehicles carry troops and supplies or equipment, reconnaissance teams, support weapons, and even provide close fire support.
The following configurations are just some that may be acquired.

Wolf TUM(HS) is a high performance version that may be winterised and waterproofed, enabling the vehicle to wade up to windscreen depth and to pre-warm its engine to ensure operation in harsh conditions.
’Wimik’ kits enable stripped-down TULs to be fitted with a roll cage and weapons, usually a 12.7mm ( ‘fifty cal’ ) heavy machinegun and 7.62mm GPMG.
Glover Webb Armoured Patrol Vehicle or APV was developed in the 1980s to meet British requirements in Northern Ireland. It is basically a Land Rover chassis fitted with an armoured body, and can transport six troops in addition to two crewmembers. It is also used by police forces. Another version, the Hornet, is provided with a 7.62mm machinegun in a turret.
Shorland S 55 APC is quite similar to the APV and is in service with over twenty nations around the world. It is also available in a number of variants with firing ports, turrets, and so forth.
Hi-Cap 110 Desert Patrol Vehicles served in the Gulf War and kept going after American Humvees failed. As a result a special division of the American army eventually ordered them.

Land Rovers can be used (and built specifically) as field ambulances, scouts, patrol vehicles, personnel carriers, assault cars, and can mount just about any weapon available from machineguns to anti-tank guided weapons. Starstreak HVM LML (high-velocity missile, lightweight multiple launcher) surface to air missile system is mounted on some British Land Rovers.
The old war-horse is light and air transportable, reliable, and versatile enough that the customer can fashion their order almost to the limits of their imagination.

Ambulance Image (http://www.lrm.co.uk/archive/military/militarygraphics/ambulance02.jpg)
Armed 110 Image (http://oliv-landy.de/pics/army-uk-landy-xd-002.jpg)


Small Arms and Crew-Served Weapons et cetera

Royal Small Arms (Enfield) SA80A3 Individual Weapon L85
The standard service rifle carried by British forces where ever they be met, the L85IW is so accurate that Army marsksmanship tests had to be redesigned when it entered service, because recruits using the new weapon found it too easy. Following its latest mid-life update, the world's most accurate assault rifle also became one of its most reliable. PM Bull's BID government was quick to re-nationalise much British industry, and a major part of Bull's work brought production of the SA80 back to Enfield and away from the troubled Nottingham lines. Thus was born the re-machined A3, made more or less as the weapon should originally have been.
There is a new Under slung Grenade Launcher (UGL) which takes-over the role of both rifle grenades and light (51mm) mortars, firing 40mm High Explosive, smoke, and illuminating rounds out to 350 metres.
Technical Data
L85IW weighs 4.98kg with loaded magazine and optical sight, and is 785mm long with a 518mm barrel. Calibre is 5.56mm (.223in) NATO, giving a muzzle velocity of 940 metres per second. Feed is from a 30 round magazine, and cyclic rate of fire is said to be 610-775 rounds per minute. Effective range is at least 400 metres.
Standard Cost
£900 (around US$1,660) including basic spares, sling, optical sights, bayonet, but not UGL, which is to be sold at £100 (around US$185).
Image (http://www.army.mod.uk/img/equipment/pw/sa80a2.1.jpg)

Royal Small Arms (Enfield) SA80A3 L86 Light Support Weapon
Big brother to the L85 Individual Weapon, the L86 arms one soldier in each of two four-man fire-teams that constitute British infantry sections.
Technical Data
Chambered for the same 5.56mm ammunition as the L85IW, the L86LSW is 900mm long with at 646mm barrel, and weighs 6.58kg with loaded 30 round magazine and mounted optical sights. Cyclic rate of fire is similar to that of the L85 at 610-775 rounds per minute, but effective range is a formidable 1,000m.
Standard Cost
The Enfield SA80A3 L86LSW is to be exported for £1,000 (around US$1,850) with optical sights and initial spares.
Image (http://www1.linkclub.or.jp/~geta/image/guns/lsw003.jpeg)


This facility shall be expanded as Downing Street, Parliament, and the MoD agree that British defence needs are increasingly satisfied.

(First expansion, Tornado F3* and GR4* made available for export)

OOC:
i would quibble keeping the 30mm ADEN pod but since you are trying to stay somewhat true to orginal (although persoanlly i would go for either an american 25mm system or the BK27 mauser).
Making the harrier supersonic is not a good idea, the airframe is not designed for it and you would suffer amssive stress and flight time reductions, a more pwoerful engine doesn't have to amke a plane faster just more powerful in its operating area (faster acell, more resposive, better hot and high operations etc etc).

On the tornado however: switching from the high velocity nicely perfroming 27mm mauser to the old, vastly out dated 30mm ADEN. (which was designed to hit big slow cold war soviet bombers. 27mm Mauser is close to the current optimumly perfroming air to air and multi role round currently available. (30mm ADEn was supposed to have been phased out in the 80s but its repalcment, 25mm ADEN never made it beyond early prototypes due to cost).

Also since you are improving the tornado F3 why not include AMRAAM? skyflash is onyl still carried because the MOD didn't want to fund the data link required to make full use of AMRAAM, this has now been redressed and AMRAAM in it's full capability (including the simultaious launch and control of 4 missiles) is due into service next month.
oh and have a look for some info on the SEAD configured F3 it will offer you soemthing rahter nice to sell

just soem suggestions by someone with too much time on their hands

OOC: Yeah, we have some fairly severe limitations placed upon us, though, since 90% of the population up and left, Bull pulled the UK further from the US, and I haven't yet found anyone playing our EU partners :) I am hoping to eventually make still more altered versions of some of our systems, and the cannon is one thing likely to change. Now that you've mentioned it, I might look into the 25mm Aden, as spending is on the rise as it has become evident that the NS world is a lot more dangerous than the current real world. Skyflash too is eventually to be replaced, possibly with Meteor, but I haven't looked into the matter much as yet. When we do further update aircraft it might be still longer before they become available for export, however. I am trying to recognise that the UK hasn't the capacity to compete with some multi-billion person states out there, anyway.

Em, anyway, as for the Harrier, of course you're pretty much right. Harrier has reached Mach 1.3 in a dive, I believe, proving it can break the sound barrier without crashing or falling apart, but yes, this it's not exactly going to go cruising about at Mach 1 :) (We've got some Eurofighters for that!)

I didn't want to bore/scare people with too much text and not enough shiny pictures, but I think I shall have to expand on the differences in our aircraft. I don't want to pretend to be an expert (because I'm clearly not), but do you see any problem with us using the GR4 to carry the Emitter Location System and completely take-over SEAD from the F3? I'm thinking of leaving all ground attack up to the GR4 and eventually giving F3 perhaps a new avionics overhaul and Meteor AAMs, and leaving it out of air to ground operations. Of course, in RAF service it is eventually going to fade all the more as we obtain more Eurofighters, but I'm also thinking of making Britain's Eurofighters single-role interceptors.

...That's all just in line with the idea that defence spending is going to rise, and the need for cost-effective multi-role systems is going to be replaced by a greater need for really effective systems that can compete more evenly with the weapons weilded by the many giant powerhouse nations stomping around out there.

I hope that makes some kind of sense :)

(Will be updating further in future with Jaguar, Nimrod, Lynx, VC-10, and ground/sea based offerings)

SEPECAT Jaguar GR3/T4 once again cleared for export

After months of resistance to the idea of making available to foriegn militaries the very latest British version of the formidable Jaguar fighter bomber, London has finally pushed the idea through. It was said by Defence Minister George John-Wavelly that, "Britain's place as one of the world's foremost military industrial powers had been lost, and in this new world that today confronts us there exists a multitude of nation states with greater resources at their disposal. If we wish to compete at all we must give our very best in every respect- no longer can we pull punches."

This announcement comes just days after it was revealed that the fourth Type 45 Class air defence destroyer to be laid-down in the UK may in fact be built for a foreign state. It is now thought that the floodgates have been opened and that it shall not be long before the UK is offering a complete range of top-of-the-line military systems for export.

In truth, the economy clearly needs it, and the industrial boost that may be provided would finally give a return on PM John Bull's election promises on the rise of the British Industrial Democratic Party.

OOC: sorry for not replying earlier, while details on the F3's RWR and ELS is a bit scarce i don't see why they couldn't be incorperated into the GR4 although you would need to modify soems tructural components (wing roots IIRC).

Our course as an intermin alternative to Meteor you could always use MICA, MBDA is at least soem what british owned.

OOC: Tagged. Im kinda waiting for the Nimrod to come online. Seeing as it is the best submarine hunting aircraft in the world Im surprised Ive never been able to find anyone selling it.

EDIT: BTW, do you have a link for your Commonwealth thing. I RP my nation as a breakaway British colony and my Royal Family is kinda related to the British one (going way, way back).

OOC: The Commonwealth of Nations- http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=335262

It has been rather put off the rails by the forum change-over, and I'm not sure who of the few responding parties may still be interested, so we're more or less starting from scratch.

I'm sitting around being ill, today, so I suppose I'll put together a few more items, starting with the Nimrods.

Thanks for the continued in-put, Crookfur.

Erm, a related issue, if anyone has anything helpful to say on the Eurofighter in regards to a spin-off designed entirely as a single-role interceptor it'd be appreciated. I believe that was the original intent in the late cold war atmosphere, but cut-backs since have made it more multi-role... I feel that NS is more akin to the cold war than the modern world, and the global situation justifies higher spending and specialist weapons once again. Am I misjudging the situation? Has anybody any bright ideas regarding alterations from the ground-attack capable version?

And that's enough chatter from me!

By popular demand (well, sort of!), the famous Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft has been made ready for export in its most modern configuration! More than that, the electronic surveillance version is once again available, and more surprisingly, the Nimrod's own AEW -abandoned by previous administrations bent on cost-cutting and bending to the Americans- has received funding enough to be seen into production. If it fails to sell well abroad, PM Bull may have difficult budgetary questions to answer...

OOC: We are still interested in joining the Commonwealth.

Premier Alec Mannerheim
Republic of Sevaris

Well i don't really see any way of making a true air to air only Typhoon bar rushing straight through the tranche 2 upgrades and right into the full tranche 3 wishlist (EJ2XX engine with soemthing like 28,000lbs thurst and 3D thrust vectoring and the AESA radar). The infrastructure to support the air to ground modes are already biult into the aircraft but you could possibly just neglect to fund the integration programs for the laser pod and soem of the stand off weapons. I suppose you could rip CAPTOR appart and remove the FLIP fucntion in favour of enhcanced IRST performance but to be honest it already has pretty damn good perfromance in that area (details hint at tracking targets at over 100km and possibley well beyond that) and FLIR is useful for low level fight etc.

For weapons well you are going for meteor so unless you go for a NS custom job (like my XRAAM) you aren't going to get much better. MICA integration is soemthing i would push for as it would allow you the possibility of an IR missile with a good stand off range to get close to the russian missiles.

OOC: Hm, thanks again. I think it probably makes sense for us to cut funding to certain aspects and probably end up delaying it all even longer... at least we'd be staying in character :) I suspect I shall leave the Eurofighter to last... perhaps we'll end up with two versions, one multi-role export and one domestic version with bits missing. I'm in no rush (so far as I'm aware there's no major plots brewing against the UK, anyway...)
And for the interest of potential customers, I'm about to add another couple of items. Ah, I'm just on fire, today.

(aaany minute now, somebody's going to make an approach, and I'm going to be inspired enough to expand the programme... just you wait)

IC

Official Communique

The Freethinker government has laid out the following contract for Nimrod MRA4, which, if capable by the British Federation, will see the 'Nimrod' enter service with the Freethinker airforce.

The following contract has been drawn up;

72 Aircraft to be delivered within 3 NS years time,
A further 72 Aircraft to be delivered within 6 NS years time,
A further 102 Aircraft to be delivered within 9 NS years time,
A further 102 Aircraft to be delivered within 12 NS years time, and:
A further 102 Aircraft to be delivered within 15 NS years time.

For a total of 450 aircraft @$90,000,000 = $40,500,000,000 to be paid in two installments of $20,250,000,000 at the start of construction and at final delivery. This contract is non-negiotiable, but we feel it is fair.

Freethinker Ministry of Defence Procurement Office

The Freethinkers were not long in assessment by export authorities before approval was confirmed and conveyed to the customers.

The size and long-term nature of the order meant that production would have to increase significantly and capacities be expanded. The deal was hailed by the BID Party as the first big sign of PM Bull's success for British industry.

Between BAe and the British Industrial Democratic government a deal was arranged to state that if, towards the end of the fifteen-year run, significant upgrades became available for the product in question they would be incorporated at no extra charge to The Freethinkers state, provided the expense was "not extreme". It was important to make the deal secure.

As production lines stepped up to a new level and BAe began to take on extra staff, it was announced that the first examples should be delivered by the end of the year.

OOC: Thank you. Im amazed the Nimrod, easily the most capable ASW and ASuW aircraft ever devised, has made such few sales. Everyone goes with American equipment, its such a laugh. Good luck and thanks for providing the Nimrod. If you ever need help....

OOC: All the better to compensate for the fact that everybody has me outnumbered, then! To be honest, it's their loss. To a nation of around sixty million people, a fifteen year contract for four hundred and fifty large aircraft is sufficient to keep some industry ticking over. Added to our own domestic contracts, anything else will just be a bonus, I suppose.

That's what I'll tell myself, yes. Maybe there'll be more fuss when I bother to add Challenger 2 and such.

I wish to purchase 100 Canberra photographic reconaissance planes.

English Electric and Short Brothers of Belfast have been cleared to begin production for the Huahin contract of 100 Canberra photographic reconnaissance aircraft, for a total value in the order of £200million (over a third of a billion US dollars). It is thought that the cost of producing the aircraft may indicate a very slight profit margin on this low price, but the value of putting Short and EE back into heavy action is deemed compensation enough, and light subsidies have been granted by the BID government in order to begin reactivation of facilities.

The possibility exists of some delay owing to the impending Artistan invasion of Ireland, which may interfere with production priorities.

Official Communique

The Freethinker Ministry of Defense Procurement Office has made the following orders avaliable to the respectable companies from requirements from the Freethinker Aerospace Force (FAF), Freethinker Aerospace Research Institute (FARI), and the National Intelligence Organisation (NIO).

With regards to payment, we believe the best plan is to forward the remainder of our payment ($20,250,000,000) for our earlier order, and then submit final payment of each of these orders at the completion of construction. Given are the expected times of completion. We believe this deal works well for both of us, ensuring us prompt delivery and your respective selves garuanteed future income.

Thank you.

Procurement Order: RFAF/234493
Service Register: FAF
Requirement:
A VSTOL jet capable of operating from poorly prepared or damaged strips without needing extensive maintenance facilities. A combat-proven design is preferred.
Product Choice: BAE Harrier GR9B
This product was chosen because of;
 Vertical/Short Take Off Capability
 Familiarity and compatibility of system into existing force.
 Low maintenance requirement when compared to other aircraft.
Total Order: 392 Units
Price Per Unit: US$22,000,000
Total Cost: US$8,624,000,000
Allowed Delivery Time: 9(NS) Years

Procurement Order: RFAF/234501
Service Register: FAF
Requirement:
An advanced ground-attack aircraft for aggressor training duties with sufficient power and performance for crisis frontline usage.
Product Choice: Panavia Tornado GR4Z
This product was chosen because of;
 Comparable performance equivalent to probable enemy aircraft
 Familiarity and compatibility of system into existing force.
 Sufficient capability for use as a frontline aircraft if necessary
Total Order: 124 Units
Price Per Unit: US$26,000,000
Total Cost: US$3,244,000,000
Allowed Delivery Time: 10(NS) Years

Procurement Order: RFAF/234601
Service Register: FARI
Requirement:
A single-set fast jet engineered for the reconnaissance role with the ability to deploy as a frontline aircraft. Aircraft to be used as reconnaissance equipment research units.
Product Choice: SEPECAT Jaguar GR3
This product was chosen because of;
 Familiarity and compatibility of system into existing force.
 Sufficient capability for use as a frontline aircraft if necessary
Total Order: 10 Units
Price Per Unit: US$23,000,000
Total Cost: US$230,000,000
Allowed Delivery Time: 2(NS) Years

Procurement Order: RFAF/234603
Service Register: FARI
Requirement:
A two-seater fast jet engineered for the reconnaissance role with the ability to deploy as a frontline aircraft. To be also used to train pilots for the Jaguar GR3
Product Choice: SEPECAT Jaguar T4
This product was chosen because of;
 Familiarity and compatibility of system into existing force.
 Sufficient capability for use as a frontline aircraft if necessary
Total Order: 4 Units
Price Per Unit: US$23,000,000
Total Cost: US$92,000,000
Allowed Delivery Time: 2(NS) Years

Procurement Order: RFAF/234622
Service Register: FARI
Requirement:
A stable, easy to maintain airborne radar system for use during missile and aircraft equipment testing.
Product Choice: BAE Nimrod AEW3
This product was chosen because of;
 Familiarity and compatibility of system into existing force.
 Parts commonality with other FAF aircraft.
 Sufficient sensor capability for multiple uses.
Total Order: 15 Units
Price Per Unit: US$243,000,000
Total Cost: US$3,645,000,000
Allowed Delivery Time: 5(NS) Years

Procurement Order: RFAF/234635
Service Register: FARI
Requirement:
A stable, cost effective photographic platform for use during missile and aircraft equipment testing.
Product Choice: English Electric Canberra
This product was chosen because of;
 Familiarity and compatibility of system into existing force.
 Low operational cost.
 Efficient performance parameters.
Total Order: 30 Units
Price Per Unit: US$4,000,000
Total Cost: US$120,000,000
Allowed Delivery Time: 10(NS) Years

Procurement Order: RFAF/234638
Service Register: NIO
Requirement:
A multi-use, tanker/transport aircraft with long range. To be used to support NIO operations around the globe.
Product Choice: VC-10 C1K
This product was chosen because of;
 Familiarity and compatibility of system into existing force.
 Sufficient performance in all required areas.
Total Order: 24 Units
Price Per Unit: US$44,000,000
Total Cost: US$1,056,000,000
Allowed Delivery Time: 8(NS) Years

The following contracts require modifications to be made to the airframe. The modifications have been noted, along with the price we are willing to pay for the modifications.

Procurement Order: RFAF/234645M
Service Register: NIO
Requirement:
A specialist electronics platform for covert operations, with secondary capabilities in terms of NIO usage. Modular systems.
Product Choice: BAE Nimrod R1
Necessary Design Changes :
 Modular Computer Systems
 Modular Counter-measure launchers
 Rear Cargo Section
 Under wing Hard Points
Total Order: 36 Units
Price Per Unit: US$150,000,000
Total Cost: US$5,400,000,000
Allowed Delivery Time: 9(NS) Years

Procurement Order: RFAF/234722M
Service Register: FAF
Requirement:
A specialist camera-based surveillance platform for use for military and civilian reconnaissance duties. Significant upgrades for modern combat environment.
Product Choice: English Electric Canberra
Necessary Design Changes :
 Modern Digital Controls
 Modern Counter-measure Systems
 In-flight-refuelling Capability
 Upgraded Engines (Top Speed rated at 650 mph)
Total Order: 36 Units
Price Per Unit: US$30,000,000
Total Cost: US$1,080,000,000
Allowed Delivery Time: 6(NS) Years

These orders are designed to provide an important part of our military capability, and should the order be completed successfully your companies will be regarded favourably for future contracts.

Thank you very much.

Freethinker Ministry of Defence Procurement Office
Freethinker Ministry of Defence
Government House, Navarre

OOC:
If you get the various hawk types, the tucano and the 146 up I have a few more orders for ya. Hope its not too confusing ;)

Oh btw, with regards to your Harpoon replacement, I do utilise a naval version of the Storm Shadow missile. Ill find the stats and get back to you.

The vast Freethinker orders have by and large been cleared by government and industry without problem, and indeed greeted with much satisfaction in the BID Party and the communities set to benefit from the expansion of aircraft production.

It appears that new engines will be produced for the Canberra reconnaissance aircraft, which are likely to mean that the aircraft will continue in service with the RAF as well. Ceiling is expected to be in excess of 60,000ft. Currently it appears that Rolls Royce shall again be heavily contracted in the production of the new engines.

(OOC: Indeed! I was starting to compile information on the Hawk, the other day, but I was called away by urgent concerns of anti-sobriety.
I actually had more to this post, then I realised that you hadn't actually ordered any F.3s. Heh, stupid me.)

OOC: Damn there you go taking my budget model jet trainer...
i geuss i'll just have to stick with a suped up MAKO...

We would like to buy 20 of the BAe Nimrod MRA4s. We need them to equip our Coast Guard for maritime patrol missions. We are willing to pay the $1.8 Billion USD for them.

Premier Alec Mannerheim
Republic of Sevaris

The Sultanate of Al-Revir would request a purchase of 30 Harriers to upgrade our airforce.

We are of course willing to accept ponential production delays due to the Irish situation.

Signed,
Abdul-Malik, Royal Secretary

This is a very well put together storefront. I would buy from here, but I already have developed improved versions of the Jaguar (The Jaguar II), Tornado (GR6), and Nimrod (Nimrod II).

I would like 100 Canberras, though.

The acceptance by both BAe and the proper governmental authorities of the order from Sevaris coincided with the completion of a revised plan for the even greater expansion of the aviation sector in the UK. Growth is such that the government has been forced to fund an increase in university places and training programmes prepared to educate a new generation of skilled technicans and the like. It seems strange that inspite of these things, and a 7% fall in briefly painful income tax rates, the economy continues to slow down over all. It appears that a loss of trade with Britain's old US and to a degree EU partners since PM Bull's rise to power has yet to be fully reconciled.

While it was indicated that there may be marginal delays in fully completing contracts to provide Sevaris with Nimrods and LRR with Canberras (though both contracts were accepted by involved companies and cleared by the government), Al-Revir was informed that the industry's ability to produce Harriers had not yet reached full capacity, and that the order should run smoothly.

(OOC: And thanks to those who've thus far taken part or offered comments. I'm going to spend a bit of time now slapping together a few more packages (the hardest part is usually figuring-out a price, especially given frequent modifications and the expansion of the industry!), so if there's any major requests for what ought to be next, now would be the time to get in touch!)

BAe Hawk Lead-In Flight Trainer re-approved for export!

Official Communique

Dear sirs, with regard to the export clearance of the BAE Hawk LIFT, a number of government agencies have placed orders with us for a number of these aircraft;

Procurement Order: RFAF/235694
Service Register: FAF
Requirement:
An advanced jet trainer to provide operational experience of high-performance aircraft to trainee pilots.
Product Choice: BAE Hawk LIFT
This product was chosen because of;
 Exceptional Service Record
 Familiarity and compatibility of system into existing force.
 Low maintenance requirement when compared to other aircraft.
Total Order: 612 Units
Price Per Unit: US$16,500,000
Total Cost: US$10,098,000,000
Allowed Delivery Time: 15(NS) Years

Procurement Order: RFAF/235697
Service Register: FARI
Requirement:
An advanced, versatile jet aircraft for use during weaponry and equipment trials.
Product Choice: BAE Hawk LIFT
This product was chosen because of;
 Exceptional Service Record
 Familiarity and compatibility of system into existing force.
 Low maintenance requirement when compared to other aircraft.
Total Order: 30 Units
Price Per Unit: US$16,500,000
Total Cost: US$495,000,000
Allowed Delivery Time: 15(NS) Years

These orders come on the back of our satisfaction with your services so far. We will part with half of the cost now, and finalise payment upon the delivery of the order so long as no problems arise. We thank you once again for providing another exceptional aircraft.

Freethinker Ministry of Defence Procurement Office
Freethinker Ministry of Defence
Government House, Navarre

The latest Freethinkers' approach to BAe was fast-tracked through by export authorities acting on the guidance of a government desperate to maintain the momentum of one of few prospering industries in a stagnating economy.

The order of 642 relatively new model Hawks over fifteen years compares quite closely to the export history of models previous to these, confirming the Hawk as a true success story with well over a thousand export sales.

Owing to the over all state of the economy and to the massive increase in the sheer volume of production for export, it is being considered that perhaps buying nations with developed industrial economies themselves may wish to take part in the final assemble of future aircraft imports from the UK. It has not been unusual in the past for nations such as Australia and Switzerland to take delivery of initial batches of aircraft from the UK, and there after to assemble later batches at home, from imported British kits. It is thought that such programmes, if at all popular, may ease the gradual expansion of the British aviation industry, and allow buying nations to maintain some industry themselves, along with the associated employment and sense of pride in their continued ability to produce in their own defence industries.

BAe Sea Harrier 3 approved for export, basic information on Sea Eagle long range anti-ship missile released.

In the first offering of something other than fixed-wing aircraft, the GKN Westland/Agusta Merlin HC3 and HM Mk 1 helicopters are presented for export- already in service with or chosen by British, Italian, Canadian, Portuguese, Japanese and Danish forces.

(And if anyone out there playing Italy wants to take issue and negotiate some specifics, given Agusta's participation, that's fine, just don't go declaring war on me ;) Uhm, and Lockheed Martin can go away.)

As part of the major naval aviation update and expansion programme underway in the ISAN since the authoritarian socialist coup in long-term rival Beth Gellert, which has been seen as a destabilising force in the Indian Ocean, Liberation has conveyed an order for forty-one (41) BAe Nimrod AEW.3. It is widely felt by the Nicobarese that the prosperity allowing them to sink so many billions of dollars into this programme is in no small part owing to the positive influences of their British colonial history, and so the order seems only fitting.

Thatcher cancelled the Nimrod AEW version for a reason. It didn't bloody well work! Well, firstly an AEW airframe needs to be large enough to carry the equipment and crew, ideally with something in reserve - attempting to squeeze everything into what was essentially an airframe designed in the 1940's, was bound to lead to problems. Secondly, effective long range AEW radar technology is highly complex, difficult to develop and needs to be updated on a regular basis to remain effective. Unless you have bottomless an aircraft with some growth potential (not Nimrod) your technology will be be unable to avoid obosolescence.

Amazingly, the collective memory of the Nimrod AEW farce seems to have been completely ignored when it was decided to replace the Nimrod MR2 with the Nimrod MRA4. Astonishingly many of the same mistakes of attempting to once again adapt an airframe designed in the 1940's, have been repeated for the second time - I only hope the final bill this time around is less than £1 billion squandered on the Nimrod AEW 3.

From everyone Ive talked to, the RAF is desperate to ditch the MRA4 in favour of the brand new 737-700 based MMA.

Even the Roycelandian Goverment (famous for using WWII designs in the modern era) conceded that for a AWACS or AEW system, something a bit larger than a Sunderland Flying Boat, DC-3, or even the P-3 Orion wasn't going to cut it. Hence, we have one based on the 767-400 that works VERY nicely.

Of course, it does look a bit out of place at our airfields, but hey, it works, and that's what matters to us. :)

We require 300 BAe Hawk LIFT trainers to help replace our older CL-415s ($ 4.95 Billion). We would also wonder if it would be possible for us to set up a factory to produce them in Sevaris, along with any other BAe designs we might need. We're willing to negotiate on that.

Pfft, sure, if you want to use clunky old computers the size of a house!

Acceptance of the Andamanese and Nicobarese, and Sevaris contracts for Nimrod and Hawk aircraft has contributed to the steadying of the economy in Britain, which had lately appeared to be in free-fall after multiple military activations and the on-going poor trade relations with the US. The RAF has asserted that its Nimrod AEW.3 are more than capable, employing advanced British computer systems in an unsurprisingly tweaked airframe. Veteran airmen have not contradicted the official line, with one saying that, "it's a darn sight more comfortable than a Shackleton". It has been reiterated that the AEW.3 now offered is not precisely the same as the near thirty year old first attempt, and that the radar and their uplinks and co-ordination are now in good working order, as testified to by their entry into British service.

Nimrod AEW.3 (http://www.avrovulcan.org.uk/tankers/571_nimrod.jpg), pictured with an Avro Vulcan.

To Sevaris it has been suggested by BAe representatives that the nation may be allowed to construct many of its Hawk jets from kits. That is to say, components would be produced in British factories and then built into full aircraft in Sevaris, by local subcontractors, thus reducing the price tag asked by the British vendors.
Further negotiation may be held over the possibility of complete licenced production from scratch of British aircraft in Sevaris.

On another note, it has been suggested by several firms that Britain might again begin to produce some 'retro' aircraft, such as the V-bombers, Hunter, Shackleton, Lightening, and so forth. Many individuals believe that there may exist private markets as well as national ones in the third world. As yet there are no solid plans.

Most of the NS 3rd world Nations have MiGs anyway... Imperial Aerospace has supplied a few of our Vampires to 3rd World Nations, and the Spitfire is still in production in a modern form- we also make the WWII version for collectors as well, but demand is somewhat limited...

Hm, there must be some fussy 3rd world populations that demand a bit more style and comfort than can be provided by a Faggot or Fishbed :)

Alvis Vickers Challenger 2E revealed and cleared for export.

Hm, there must be some fussy 3rd world populations that demand a bit more style and comfort than can be provided by a Faggot or Fishbed :)

There are. And they now have Vampires, Spitfires, and a couple of Dassault Mirage IIIs that we had lying about. :)

(Just a bump because I suppose that I'm allowed the odd one without actually adding a new system...)

As cool as ever M8

now to organising the commonwealth...

Royal Small Arms (Enfield) set to produce SA80A3 Individual Weapon L85 for export- world's most accuarte assault rifle available.

L86 expected to follow in near future.

[TAG] Will buy here soon. Look on your Commonwealth Thread, I have put in a bid to be a member...

The Commonwealth of the Royal Confederation approaches the British Federation for a possibly contract deal, we wish to buy 96 Hawk Fighters to equip our second line reserve squadrons, to be purchached in groups of twelve. We also wish to buy 72 Nimrod MRA4s, to equip patrol and anti submarine squadrons.

If the British Federation would be so kind, we are also looking to buy 2,000 Warrior APCs, to equip our Reserve Mechanized Infantry Brigades. We would also be interested in buying 5,000 L85a1s and 10,000 L86a1s for use by special forces as well as national police units.

Royal Small Arms (Enfield) set to produce SA80A3 Individual Weapon L85 for export- world's most accuarte assault rifle available.

L86 expected to follow in near future.

Not to burst your bubble, but the SA80 is widely regarded as being crap of the highest order. The Soldiers hate it, and the only gun more widely hated is the Steyr ("Made by Tupperware" as the joke runs here- Tupperware Australia actually make parts for it!).

Now, the FN-FAL, THAT's an Assault Rifle. Accurate, reliable... a bit on the heavy side, though.

Of course, Heavy is Good. Heavy is Reliable. If it doesn't work, you can always hit them with it... :)

Roycelandia now has a semi-auto/3 shot burst version of the SMLE in service and couldn't be happier with it...

Perhaps some of our Commonwealth Allies are interested in the design?

OOC: Sorry to keep hijacking your threads like this... ;)

Natal-Transvaal Order Sheet

Subject: Sea Harrier 3
Service: Royal Navy
Number: 28
Cost: £288 million
Duration of production: 3 NS years

Subject: Tornado Gr.4
Service: RAF
Number: 40
Cost: £560 million
Duration of production: 5 NS years

Subject: Tornado F.3
Service: RAF
Number: 40
Cost: £560 million
Duration of production: 5 NS years

Subject: Hawk LIFT (AIM-9X capable)
Service: RAF
Number: 28
Cost: £252 million
Duration of production: 3 NS years

Subject: Nimrod MPA.4
Service: RAF
Number: 18
Cost: £900 Million
Duration of production: 4 NS years

The Royal Confederation contracts for Hawk LIFT and Nimrod MRA4 have been accepted by manufacturers and cleared by government, and delivery of the first units is set to begin within months. BAe will produce the Hawks in line with RC military needs regarding the cockpit displays and such variables.

Royal Small Arms factories at Enfield are prepared to produce L85 individual weapons for their contract.

The L86 and Warrior contracts will have to be dealt with in the near future, and these export programmes have been given top development priority and information returned within days.

The Natal-Transvaal contracts have all been accepted and cleared, and initial production is set to begin as the arms industry continues to provide new employment, with BAe fast becoming a bigger entity than...than... the civil service!

And now back in reaction to Roycelandian slander!..

The L85 individual weapon is more versatile than the likes of the FN-Fal, replacing both that and sub-machineguns in service. It has been a very much troubled rifle, there's no denying that, but there are a couple of ways to look at that- one, it's the fault of America/the Tories; and two, it's still a fine rifle today, and besides, this is the A3 version, unique to TBF.

First of all, when it's stated on the first page, where the weapon is offered for export, that the L85 is so accurate that marksmanship tests had to be revised, the truth is written. This actually happened, because it is hard to miss with an SA80, and I can attest to this out of character, having fired the L98 version and found it comfortable enough and pleasingly accurate... hey! I hit it!

Of course, faults with early weapons were common, many caused by the fact that Britain for whatever reason couldn't be bothered resisting American demands that the 5.56mm bullet be adopted as NATO standard, since they had bajillions of rounds left after Vietnam- the SA80 was designed originally for a smaller round, and ended up with parts really jammed in there tight, so it was bound to foul easily. But the gun was still the most accurate going, and survived unlike the EM2 which had been abandoned for the same reason- somebody (Churchill) bending over for the Americans who wanted their chosen (7.62mm) round to be NATO standard, and damn the arguably more advanced British alternative. PM Bull would have told them to *** off, much as that supposedly meek and useless Attlee had done before the Tories got back into power and piddled on the British armed forces. The FN-Fal was settled upon, even though it probably couldn't have been considered better than the EM2 would have been if left alone.

When the dead EM2 lead on to the SA80, we had the mentioned problems, but they could have been worked out... only somebody decided it'd be a good idea to privatise Royal Small Arms, working in Enfield since the 1700s, and allow them to shift production to Nottingham, employing mass production experts from Rover and copying American hey-lets-not-machine-this-metal-lets-just-press-it-paper-thin-and-hope work on the AR18. A well designed high-tech military tool turned out by a cheap mass production line designed by people who sell shoddy cars not meant to last, so that people will have to by more. Hence problems with the safety, fouling, and cracking plastic.

A lot of that has been fixed in reality, and so long as the gun is properly cleaned by professional soldiers it is one of the most reliable on earth. It's not going to be an AK47 that you can bury and run-over and then keep using, and it's not supposed to be. A fellow with a muddy AK isn't going to care much that his gun still works when he's being shot to pieces by a professional enemy he can't hit back at anyway as they're hundreds of metres away and armed with SA80s.

Now, back to TBF and Nation States... Bull's BID government re-nationalised almost everything in the country (and re-privatised *some* of it based on reasonable criteria), and part of this saw small arms production moved back to Enfield. British military industry is moving back away from being a big Nissan set-up towards a solid Rolls Royce. The SA80A3 it properly machined, eliminating any doubt.

The Royal Confederation further wishes to order 144 Merlin Helocopters for Anti Submarine Warfare and 196 Merlin Helocopters in the Troop Transport Role. We wish delivery to be as quick as possible, due to our desired need to replace our remaining Seakings, Griffins, Seahawks and Labradors with the Merlin in the Naval Role. We further more wish to purchace 72 Merlin Helocopters in the transport role for use as search and rescue aircraft, we desire that this variant be modified to give it a bit more range if that is possible.

The 340 Merlin HMMk.1 and HC.3 are entering production for the immediate Royal Confederation contract, and the government has offered to deliver eight HC.3 (transport) versions immediately, withdrawing them from reserve stocks where they have been kept since delivery into service. These would be replaced in British reserve during the new production run.

GKN Westland has suggested that extra tanks may be fitted to some helicopters giving range beyond the 1,000km given by standard tanks. This would conceivably reduce speed slightly below the usually achievable 167 knots and hinder agility when carrying already heavy loads, but this should presumably be of minor importance to a transport vehicle.

(I'm typing-up notes on the Warrior right now.)

Alvis Vickers Warrior Mechanised Combat Vehicle family and Enfield SA80A3 L86 Light Support Weapon made available.

OOC:
more new tech random ness from crookfur:

you might want to have a look at soem of stuff out there about 2 new turrets for the warrior. The first being the 40mm CTA cannon isntallation that is apparently confrimed as a definite upgrade for UK warriors (yes 30mm RARDEN is fantastic and is proven to kill T-72s (and thats without the proper APFSDS ammo that your govenrment will not have canned) but it can defiantly be improved upon and 40mm CTA is superior (apparently) to the Super-40 ammo the americans are going for)
Secondly is the automatic 120mm turret BAE have been pushing which might even be joined by a 120mm AMOS alternative

still it looks awesome...

OOC:
more new tech random ness from crookfur:

you might want to have a look at soem of stuff out there about 2 new turrets for the warrior. The first being the 40mm CTA cannon isntallation that is apparently confrimed as a definite upgrade for UK warriors (yes 30mm RARDEN is fantastic and is proven to kill T-72s (and thats without the proper APFSDS ammo that your govenrment will not have canned) but it can defiantly be improved upon and 40mm CTA is superior (apparently) to the Super-40 ammo the americans are going for)
Secondly is the automatic 120mm turret BAE have been pushing which might even be joined by a 120mm AMOS alternative

still it looks awesome...

I can confirm the 40mm CTA turret, saw it Jane's Defence Weekly a couple weeks back. Also the Challangers may get Rhinemetal 120mm smoothbore guns instead of the present rifled ones because the UK is getting all touchy-feely about depleted uranium and apparently you cant get tungsten discarding sabots for a rifled barrel.

The Royal Confederation thanks the British Federation for its offer to deliver the first eight helocopters from its own reserve stocks, we will of course put the helcopters to work in training new Merlin Rotary Wing helocopter pilots at no 18 Operational Training Unit. We also still wish to purchace 2000 Warrior Basic Section Vehicles and the order of L86a1s, we are of course wondering about buying or gaining the production license for the Browning HP pistol, a handgun which serves both our military forces.

Production of the ordered Warriors has quickly got under way in Telford and elsewhere, helped along by Bull's restoration of a figure for British service closer to the original thousand plus order than the previously final sub-eight-hundred delivered.
The L86 order meanwhile should be met very quickly by the revitalised Enfield factories.

OOC: Yeah, I was going to offer up alternative turrets with 90mm Cockerill, 25mm Bushmaster, 105mm [undecided], and an alternate mid-calibre cannon I'd heard talk of but not yet identified, presumably this 40mm... but I'd been sat here so long that I got bored and thought I'd do it later :) In the mean time, I presume that anyone wanting a specific weapon mounted won't be afraid to ask for a configuration specific to their nation... I mean, if the Kuwaitis can. Uhm, so, yeah, I'll add stuff next update. Ta for the continued input.

Are the HP rights not still with the Belgians?

[nudge]

We are in need of 150 of the Challenger II MBTs. $690 million will be wired upon confirmation.

The order from Sevaris is set to make that nation one of the five biggest users of the Challenger 2 series, and with governmental approval taking just hours to be confirmed, production of 150 Challenger 2E battle tanks was under way at plants across the UK, with Bull's government continuing to re-open arms factories from Enfield to Leyland, shipping in pricey new machine tools.

Official request from the Office of the General of the Titarnian Air force.

The air force of the Commonwealth of Titarnia would like to purchase the following aircraft from your nation

72 Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR9B at $846,000,000.
12 BAe Nimrod MRA4 at $ 600,000,000.
12 BAe Nimrod AEW3 at $ 1,584,000,000.
12 BAe Hawk LIFT at $ 108,000,000.

108 total aircraft at a total of $3,138,000,000.

We would thank you for prompt delivery

Greame Roddes,
Lieutenant General,
Department of procurement,
The Office of the General of the Titarnian Air force.

Some concerns over the Titarnian budget lead to a slight delay in clearing the orders, which ran into further opposition from some groups that accused the nation of human rights abuses. After some consideration these concerns were dismissed as a cultural misunderstanding as worried parties were assured that Titarnia appeared to be a quite stable society that merely happens to be more conservative than the UK of today.

The orders are as such being processed, with deliveries set to be carried out over the next two years, with the first Hawks arriving within weeks.

BF, please may we order 400 of your Challenger 2E's, as well as 150,000 SA80 L85's and 50,000 SA80 L86's.

This should come to: £1,185,000,000, which will be wired upon confirmation.
Thanks,
IN

OOC: Congratulations on such a good 'themed' storefront. Also, please respond to my bid to become part of the commonwealth on your other thread (This is London Calling).

The Intelligent Neighbors contracts, accepted by manufacturers and under-way as we sit, have added to slowly building public unease over the export authority's level of responsibility when considering arms deals with questionable regimes. IN is seen as a heavy-handed dictatorship, and some civil rights groups have expressed concern, with the suggestion that British tanks and guns may be used in the oppressive policing of the IN population.

For now, perhaps just in the absence of any major horror stories originating from IN, production continues.

[Just a bump, further expansion is still planned for the near future]

Jackdonia would like 400 Tornados and 235 MRA4 Nimrods.

Jackdonia shall have to state whether it seeks GR4Z attack or F3Z interceptor Tornado, then.

That aside, there are serious concerns in the UK as to whether the little nation of eight million souls has the available revenue to support a contract worth billions. The government and industry are prepared to take-on the orders, but all parties are insistant that the first deliveries be for only a small number of units and that payment be forthcoming without problems before aircraft production is expanded to meet the full demands of the contracts at hand. It is generally hoped that, if the healthy Jackdonian economy proves itself robust, there will be no problems with a drawn-out delivery and payment over a period of years.

Still, the issue of what sort of Tornado are sought remains key.

Super Lynx helicopter and AS90 Braveheart SPH approved for export!

OOC: Perhaps Roycelandia's Imperial Armaments and the British Federation's various Arms Manufacturers can "Join Forces" (ie, have a really big storefront)? Between the two of us, there's quite a lot of stuff we can be selling...

(I suppose it's possible that we could do something. Mayhap at least have Roycelandian and British companies negotiate sub-contracts with one another, perhaps encouraged by relaxed laws or government incentives. The BID government is currently interested in a new UAV and new MLRS amongst other things, and possibly a theatre defence missile system of some sort, which we would be unlikely to capable of funding alone.)

OOC: We'd be more than happy to enter into a Joint Funding of such a project... we already have a short-to-medium range Troop Support Missile (the Batsman), but anything that brings Roycelandia and the British Federation closer can only be good...

The United African Republic of Lusaka has, after lengthy consideration and after absorbing heavy losses to its air force in resisting the Al Khali invasion, has placed orders with a number of British aircraft manufacturers.

These are for:

Twenty-four (24) BAe Hawk LIFT configured to train pilots flying late-model F-20 Tigershark and F-5 Tiger light tactical fighters carrying South African Darter missiles.

Sixteen (16) English Electric Canberra medium bombers.

Four (4) English Electric Canberra photographic reconnaissance aircraft.

Prime Minister Bull,

The Ministry of Defence acting with the force and effect of the government of United Elias wishes to strongly discourage the UK from exporting any form of weapon system to the United African Republic of Lusaka.

Citing the International Code of Conduct for Arms Sales, United Elias has reason to believe that Lusaka has the intention of breaking the criteria set forth in this law, specifically Criterion One and Two of said code:



An export licence should be refused if approval would be inconsistent with, inter alia:

1-The respect for human rights in the country of final destination

Having assessed the recipient country’s attitude towards relevant principles established by international human rights instruments, States will:

a) not issue an export licence if there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression.
b) exercise special caution and vigilance in issuing licences, on a case-by-case basis and taking account of the nature of the equipment, to countries where serious violations of human rights have been established by the competent bodies of the UN or by common knowledge.[/I]


2- States will not allow exports which would provoke or prolong armed conflicts or aggravate existing tensions or conflicts in the country of final destination.

Member States will not issue an export licence if there is a clear risk that the intended recipient would use the proposed export aggressively against another country or to assert by force a territorial claim.

When considering these risks, States will take into account inter alia:

a) the existence or likelihood of armed conflict between the recipient and another country;
b) a claim against the territory of a neighbouring country which the recipient has in the past tried or threatened to pursue by means of force;
c) whether the equipment would be likely to be used other than for the legitimate national security and defence of the recipient;
d) the need not to affect adversely regional stability in any significant way.

If the United Kingdom authorised exports of offensive weapons systems to the UAR of Lusaka, this would likely breach Criterion One banning sales to nations who might use weapons for the purposes of internal repression as Lusaka is currently in the process of repressing the white minority of their nation, evidence being available to support this claim being available: http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=353854

Similarly, evidence shows that this sale if allowed would be in breach of Criterion Two regarding the risk of escalating existing conflicts and the use of these weapons for offensive purposes. Lusaka is involved in a conflict with a neigbouring state: http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=326409

Knowing the United Kingodm to be a nation of great morale values and its Prime Minister as a man of ethical clarity, we implore you to prevent this arms export, for the sake of the oppressed minorities of Lusaka and indeed the people of Lusaka as a whole.

Sincerely,
Ibrahim Zibari,
Minister of Defence

The Roycelandian Government is also opposed to this sale, for obvious reasons, the least of which being we know exactly what those Photo Recon planes and bombers will be used for! :)

Of course, our AA Gunners can always use the practice... ;)

IIRC, the Lusakan Air Force doesn't actually have enough money to fly all those aircraft at once anyway- the Roycelandian Government suspects they would be used mainly as "Prestige Items" for the Lusakan Armed Forces, with which to impress Lusakans, rather than in any Military Capacity.

OOC: Can the Lusakans even afford film for those Photo Recon Planes? :-P

President Igomo appears in London, wheelchair-bound! Mr.Derek has been encouraged to show the international community that he is alive and rolling, to do work for the war effort, to plead the Lusakan case in person –as a black man in a wheelchair, who doesn’t have a steady girlfriend, you know, I’m just saying is all-. Igomo will of course signal New Lusaka City’s dismissal of Elias and Roycelandian slanders, pointing out that both of these imperialist nations have grudges against the UARL, and that both are guilty of crimes against humanity, from terrorism to war crimes and execution without trial, and as for the UN, that body credits Lusaka with a civil rights record equivalent to that of the UK and vastly superior to United Elias or even Roycelandia. He will also point-out that Lusaka’s war is one of defence against unprovoked aggression, and that as an added bonus his country is basically a big heaping copper mine, wink wink.

...of course, in the meantime, General Theo Tendyala is painting the President as an old and sickly man no longer able to keep pace with Lusaka’s varied issues and absent during the nation’s hour of need.

Newsnight Review, lately moved to BBC one in place of some American made for TV movie upon which the PM threatened to declare war...

"...and after being seen on the News at Ten, shaking hands with a crippled black man from a nation not unlike many once forced into the British Empire at the sharp end of a bayonet, PM Bull has found it a political impossibility to turn around and deny that man the right to defend his country from further imperialism."

Thus was reported the sale of BAe Hawk trainers to the United African Republic of Lusaka. The earlier segment on BAe's record profits since BID came to power and the company's political donations not withstanding, the decision to clear the deal has generally been reported in favourable light.

At least that is on the BBC, while commercial stations have been paying more attention to the concurrent BID decision to retain the TV licence fee that funds the BBC, which had previously seemed under threat.

The export of Canberra photo reconnaissance aircraft was old news, having been cleared without much trouble. The matter of bomber-configured aircraft however remained a sticking point as many left-wing back benchers within the government raised concerns.

"Oh pish posh, according to the report [on the suitability of the UARL to receive British arms exports] the Lusakans already have American B-47 Stratojet bombers, and we've heard nothing of them being used to repress or attack anybody." Said one MP.

The issue remains under review, but delivery of the first reconnaissance aircraft and two Hawks is already under way. It has been reported that two further Hawk are to be delivered complete before the remainder are supplied in kit format and constructed in Lusaka, as per a private request from the President on behalf of his nation's industry.

Igomo remains in the UK, apparently arranging a state visit. Some hope that this may be the first step towards Lusaka joining the Commonwealth of Nations.

OOC: Is Bull a Tory? Its just that you would expect Labour to support the sale and the Conservatives to be against giving weapons to a socially minded African native.

OOC: Bull is the first uncontested leader of the British Industrial Democratic Party. BID is supposed to have risen as New Labour continued to lose its traditional support, the Tories continued to flap around like fish out of water, and everybody continued in their odd refusal to accept that the Lib Dems couldn't possibly be any worse. Minority parties like the BNP and UKIP on one side and the likes of RESPECT on the other are assumed to have encouraged disaffected elements who would normally be counted on -by the mainstream parties- not to bother voting at all to take an interest in politics... where upon BID swept in and stole them all away while being liberal and socialistic enough to steal old Labour die hards and patriotic and industrious enough to take at least a reasonable little bite out of the Tories. It's unlikely that Bull will take anything close to half of the vote, next time around, but there's enough divisions and parties that BID should remain secure for some time. Exactly how realistic is the rise of the BIDP is open to debate, but this is Nation States and it's not half as unrealistic as many of the warmongering regimes out there holding on to power as they claim to. I hope.
Basically, at this relatively early stage for BID, Tories attacking potential British exports are likely to have their cars tipped over by angry working class hordes enamoured with John Bull.

Maybe people don't understand this thread because it doesn't have, "storefront" in the title, eh?

JERNAS (Rapier FSC) air defence system hits the market

(Pricing may be absurd. Though I'm aware of the value of the first RL export of the new system, I've no idea how big a Malaysian air defence regiment is, since they didn't have one before this, so... yeah, feel free to suggest a more reasonable price if you're better informed!)

OOC: TBF, do you have MSN?

Would it be possible for our President to make a state visit to the UK?

OOC: Indeed it would, if we're ever active for long enough at the same time :)
A bump because I'm paying attention again. Should add to the manifest soon enough, possibly with Starstreak, the world's angriest-looking MANPAD, or something completely different. You never can tell, with us [looks shifty]

The government of LRR would like to aquire 18 Sea Harrier 3s to equip the new carrier LRRNS Strange Brew, and one reserve squadron.

The LRR government would also like to purchase. 150 Challenger 2 tanks. Would it be possible for much of the advanced western equipment to be removed, including the motors, to facilitate the use of systems common with the T-72 II family of main battle tanks?

The government of LRR would also be interested in the Scorpion family of light tanks if they became up for sale.

The sale of Sea Harrier 3 aircraft to LRR has been approved by the government and the contract confirmed.

In response to renewed interest in the Scorpion family, Alvis has taken steps to re-start production of discontinued models and offers a wide range of optional modifications and variants (see initial post). The LRR government is invited to compile an order meeting its specific requirements.

Regarding Challenger 2 Export, Alvis Vickers and associated contractors have been given approval to co-operate with LRR factories over the possible production of 150 specialised vehicles integrating standard components with LRR systems. While involved parties stand by the powerful Europack engine and other sytems such as the advanced Canadian fire-control, it is of course accepted that the customer knows best, and company spokesmen see no reason why such a project could not work.

As for the scorpion-family vehicles, the LRRA would like to place the following order:

2,500 Fv-102 Striker vehicles
1,500 Fv-103 Spartan vehicles

Preferably, the strikers would be delivered without the basic launchers and missiles, since they are planned to be converted into carriers of the Spike-family ATGMs, and possibly the TM-X-14 anti-tank missile, which is planned to be a cheap 12km-range weapon to replace the Spike-EER.

As for the Spartan vehicles, would it be possible to equip 500 with the Starstreak HVM missile, 250 with ground surveillance radars, 250 with radio jamming equipment, and the other 500 with perhaps a twin recoilless rifle mount?

With the Challengers, the LRR state arsenals would like to get their hands on a bare Challenger to see how standard LRRA armored vehicle systems can be fit into the vehicle. Any LRR configured vehicle will likely have the staple Spike-ER launcher over the commander's turret to enhance the vehicle's firepower and long-range capability.

Er...bump?

The Striker and most of the Spartan vehicle contracts have been confirmed, the only outstanding issue there being the recoilless rifles. Here, contractors wonder whether LRR already has specific weapons in mind that it should like to mount.
Meanwhile, a single Challenger 2 has been provided in very basic configuration without charge as the contractors hope to win a bigger deal as a result.

Ideally, any recoilless rifle mount on the Spartan would be able to accomodate the SPG-9 73mm weapon, or perhaps the Indian Ordnance factories 106mm RCL.

The state armories at Novgorod await the arrival of the Challenger tank. They already have the PT-91 systems ready for installation into the more modern platform.

OOC: Heyo, two questions.

One, could I modify the AS90 to mount a Freethinker FDI Mk6 155 ETC cannon and the relevant targeting gear? I have dire need of several hundred SP artillery, and this system seems perfect for my needs. Im going on a huge military expansion so Im gonna need a lot of new equipment soon.

Secondly, do you offer any of the military Land Rover vehicles? Those are my biggest priority at the moment. Cheers.

Hello I am looking to purchase the following items...
1,500- L85 Individual Weapon's 2,491,500 Including the (UGL)
500- L86 Light Support Weapon's 925,000
500- Challenger 2 MBT's 2,300,000,000

Total: $2,303,416,500 USD
Military Budget: $2,714,625,000 USD

Thank you very much and have a good day.
The Armed Republic of British-States

The LRR Spartan programme has been initiated with scope for future mounting of such recoilless rifles as mentioned. Delivery of other vehicles is under way and should continue to run for many months.

(OOC: To Freethinkers, I'm afraid that I don't know much about ETC weapons, but so far as I'm aware it should be possible for British firms to provide the chassis with powerpack, suspension, and such things and perhaps the basic turret or some components there of. Your own national industries would presumably be able to co-operate at their end to incorporate the new weapon. As I say, I know nothing much of ETC weapons, so if anyone reading happens to know why it'd be impractical to mate such an advanced weapon with a modern hull, now would be the time to chip in :)
I'll go and look into the Landrover family, now!)

The British-States' small contract for individual weapons has been cleared and under-taken, and delivery is to be prompt.
The rather larger Challenger 2 contract is keenly anticipated by manufacturers, but government -several times criticised for questionably lax arms export proceedure- has heard some murmers from the back benches. Several MPs and commentators have pressed for an agreement to ensure an understanding that freedoms in the British-States remain at a civilised level, some fearing that the nation is dangerously close to slipping into a rather oppresive state. PM Bull has expressed his confidence in the nation, saying that if anything, close trade between the British-States and the UK will only encourage the former nation's progress.
The deal has as such been confirmed, and delivery of Challenger 2 is to begin. Some are quietly hopefull that The British-States will, "make the right sounds" to ease political concerns about the UK's export ethics.

OOC: Heh, its all good, Ill probably have to ship the systems to you to mount, shouldnt be too much of a problem. I have a multi-trillion dollar build-up planned and your equipment is gonna count for a lot of that.

(I've slapped in a few Land Rover types, but there's just so many from so many different firms that I couldn't decide what to list or begin to price them individually. Folk will just have to decide what they're after and ask for it, I suppose :/ The first post is big enough as it is, and has to get bigger, yet.)