At long last targeting waste in the MOD:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13923042
The problem would be where to start, for the money we spend we should have a balanced capable set of services - but we don't. A few things I'd like:
1. Buy best of breed proven solutions and license them for manufacture in the UK. That both gets something useful and solves the defence providing jobs problem.
2. Rein BAe in over cost overruns, the shareholders should share some of the burden.
3. Faster equipment procurement for things we need right now. Clearly where practical, but there is not point having focus groups trying to predict the need for the next 50 years, some things especially troop related can be reacted to rather than planned for.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Greece Default
The news this week of if Greece looking for at least longer time to repay bonds, and a worst just a reduced payment for lenders. This really could be the second part of the bankrupt state part of the recession.
The interesting twist of China now stepping in to back the Euro debt, their interest is to keep trade and export markets open - it does seem an interesting move on their part.
This may stop the Euro from completely collapsing, and maybe the breathing space needed for those states that take single currency responsibly to separate themselves from those who do not.
The interesting twist of China now stepping in to back the Euro debt, their interest is to keep trade and export markets open - it does seem an interesting move on their part.
This may stop the Euro from completely collapsing, and maybe the breathing space needed for those states that take single currency responsibly to separate themselves from those who do not.
Greece Default
The news this week of if Greece looking for at least longer time to repay bonds, and a worst just a reduced payment for lenders. This really could be the second part of the bankrupt state part of the recession.
The interesting twist of China now stepping in to back the Euro debt, their interest is to keep trade and export markets open - it does seem an interesting move on their part.
This may stop the Euro from completely collapsing, and maybe the breathing space needed for those states that take single currency responsibly to separate themselves from those who do not.
The interesting twist of China now stepping in to back the Euro debt, their interest is to keep trade and export markets open - it does seem an interesting move on their part.
This may stop the Euro from completely collapsing, and maybe the breathing space needed for those states that take single currency responsibly to separate themselves from those who do not.
Dyson and Patents
News today that the Dyson bladeless fan is getting imitated by Chinese manufacturers. Of course it has novel ideas in it and is covered by patents. Dyson is the one test case I can think of where patent law actually worked to proted the, at the time, "small guy" from imitation from big manufacturers.
Still I cannot see him winning this case, China probably has less respect for patents than most. But it does at least give an interesting case, of probably valid novel ideas being copied by competitors.
Still I cannot see him winning this case, China probably has less respect for patents than most. But it does at least give an interesting case, of probably valid novel ideas being copied by competitors.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
HMS Invincible scrapyard
Shot of HMS Invincible being scrapped:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13778654
So the end of an era, the veteran ship is no more. I'm surprised the breaking happened overseas, as the UK has some scrap specialism (thinking of the French carrier that was scrapped here):
http://dontgetdemoralised.blogspot.com/2009/02/clemenceau-at-breakers-yard.html
Maybe we only specialise in the more toxic jobs, Invincible probably would not have had too much of that.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13778654
So the end of an era, the veteran ship is no more. I'm surprised the breaking happened overseas, as the UK has some scrap specialism (thinking of the French carrier that was scrapped here):
http://dontgetdemoralised.blogspot.com/2009/02/clemenceau-at-breakers-yard.html
Maybe we only specialise in the more toxic jobs, Invincible probably would not have had too much of that.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
US Warning on NATO
Not surprisingly the US has warned that it will not forever plug the gaps arising from decreased defence spending in Europe. We're learning the hard way with NATO expected to do most of the Libya operation, and a stern warning over our inability to provide enough force in Afghanistan (this one we could argue was a mess of America's own making, and a severe lack of understanding of previous history).
But overall I can't blame them, it does not bode well if the US decide to sit back a bit and not be so interventionist.
For Britain's part we do spend an awful lot on defence, but it is badly allocated - its laughable to think we must have analysts working on defining the needs for the next 50 years, but we struggle with an ever changing threat and lack of investment in forces that are needed right now.
I can only hope that cutbacks make us think more carefully what we really need to be effective. Trident replacement has been surprisingly quiet of late. The RAF and Navy finally have some idea that they can work together with the Apache helicopters on board HMS Ocean. This kind of thing is vital to get the most out of what we spend.
But overall I can't blame them, it does not bode well if the US decide to sit back a bit and not be so interventionist.
For Britain's part we do spend an awful lot on defence, but it is badly allocated - its laughable to think we must have analysts working on defining the needs for the next 50 years, but we struggle with an ever changing threat and lack of investment in forces that are needed right now.
I can only hope that cutbacks make us think more carefully what we really need to be effective. Trident replacement has been surprisingly quiet of late. The RAF and Navy finally have some idea that they can work together with the Apache helicopters on board HMS Ocean. This kind of thing is vital to get the most out of what we spend.
Facebook features
A new feature in Facebook, allows face recognition in photographs and identifies the person has been silently rolled out. Followed by a swift apology for not making it more clear that the feature was appearing.
I suppose it is harmless it sounds like it just picks friends out of photos. But another example of Facebook opting you into something that you might not really need or want.
I suppose it is harmless it sounds like it just picks friends out of photos. But another example of Facebook opting you into something that you might not really need or want.
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