Scrapping the RAF's £4bn Nimrod fleet 'risks UK security'

BAe Nimrod MRA4

26 Jan 2011 by Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent THE TELEGRAPH

In an open letter to the Daily Telegraph, former defence chiefs from all three services say the decision to destroy nine MRA4 Nimrods to save money is “perverse” and could cause serious long-term damage to the country’s interests. The protest over the Government’s decision in last year’s Strategic Defence and Spending Review to destroy what is regarded as a vital part of the country’s defences comes as private demolition contractors hired by the Ministry of Defence began breaking up the aircraft. Former military chiefs believe that without the Nimrod’s surveillance technology, the country will be dangerously exposed.