before we spend money on killing people , perhaps we could spend it on something useful like care for the aged and proper pay for the police

is there not something faintly absurd about an aircraft carrier with no sircraft?

peter codner, devizes, england

I think anyone who believes these 2 carriers will be built is living with their heads in the clouds! They were announced by this government in a defence review in 1999, nine years later and the plans haven't been finished let alone steel cut for construction. This is a smoke screen by the government to cover real defence cuts in the Royal Navy. Compare the number of escort vessels the Navy had in '99 to the numbers they have now, take into account the reduced number of Type 45 destroyers to be built. The excuse for these reductions ?..2 new carriers.

Kev T, Newcastle,

So we are building two huge aircraft carriers that will not be able to operate defensive fighters and have halved the number of destroyers (Type 45s) that were orginally planned as the second line of defence.
It's also worth pointing out that there is no planned Airborne Early Warning aircraft for the carriers either. A lack of this kind of aircraft was decisive in the sinking of many RN ships during the Falklands war.

We might as well scuttle them as soon as they're off the slipway.

Jon, London,

Ah, but think off all those lucky pregnant Polish women that can swan over here and suck money away from what should be priorities, ie, the JSF.
Doesnt that just give you a nice warm feeling.
Its about time this pathetic excuse of a government admitted that money is being diverted away from important projects to pay for their complete cock up over immigration!

Pete, St Albans, England

Really poor show here by HM Government.

When will there be some joined up thinking on Defence?

The RAF are in dire need of additional C17 Globemaster transport aircraft and brand new helicopter transport in addition to those recently purchased.

Mr Brown made some good decisions last year when he purchased those aircraft above, given the A400M is seriously delayed and Tristar and Hercules out of service or too old, i'd love to think he would consider buying more C17 immediately.

I think the RAF would love him if he did.

Kent Farnsworth, England,

The GR9 is a strike aircraft not an air defence fighter. Since the sea harrier was retired the RN has had no area air defence system. The new carriers, if built, will never be deployed without a proper fighter. Classic case of treasury dictating a flawed strategy.

Paul, Thorton Cleveleys, UK

The greatest enemy of the British Navy has always been the British Treasury. I seriously wonder if these two aircraft carriers are ever going to be built.

David Russell, Sheffield, South Yorkshire