David Cameron's Speech - Farnborough Air Show

Speech
Prime Minister's speech opening Farnborough Air Show

From:
    Cabinet Office, Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon David Cameron MP
Delivered on:
    10 July 2012 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
History:
    Published 10 July 2012

David Cameron considers the current state and the future of the UK aerospace industry.
The Rt Hon David Cameron MP

It gives me great pleasure to be here today to open the Farnborough Air Show and the first thing I want to say is a very big thank you. You are a vitally important industry for the United Kingdom and for the future of our country and our economy.

In a hugely difficult time in the global economy, when we’re tackling a massive budget deficit at home, UK aerospace is flying high:

    employing more than 100,000 people;
    turning over more than £20 billion a year; and
    winning contracts for more than a decade in advance.

Every two and a half seconds a plane powered by a Rolls Royce engine takes off. Our Hawk aircraft are used by 25 air-forces around the world. British firms are developing new technologies to send tourists into space and inventing telescopes that can see the oldest parts of the universe.

Across civil aviation, defence, security and space research, this is a real success story and I want to thank everyone here for helping make it happen. I also want to welcome guests who have come from overseas today and to say here how much we welcome firms like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, GE, Finmeccanica, Thales and Airbus who come and create good jobs here.

Those collaborations are crucial to the success of the UK industry. But my biggest message today is that there can be no complacency. Yes, we’ve got a 17 per cent share of the global market, but as everyone here knows, the rest of the world is breathing down our necks.

We’ve got to be constantly alive to this competition - constantly looking to get ahead - and that includes government just as much as industry. I don’t want anyone here to be in any doubt that this is a massive industrial priority for me, for this whole government.

Some might say ‘you’re talking like some 1970s-style central planner - aren’t you meant to be a free-market Conservative?’ Frankly, I am a do-what-works Conservative. I don’t believe in picking winners but I absolutely believe in backing them.

I’m not going to just sit back while China and India invest in more high-tech engineers; while countries across the world snap at Britain’s heels. We are determined to do everything we can to back UK aerospace and I hear three big things that you want from us:

Number one - you want stability and certainty about the future. We’ve heard this loud and clear. When it takes fifteen years from the start of a programme to getting that aircraft in the sky, fifteen years more to break even and fifteen years more to make a profit, you cannot have governments that think short-term.

But that has been the story. There was a great surge of investment in the 70s and 80s and since then it’s gone a bit stop-start, with government scraping around, getting some cash and saying ‘can you start a new programme tomorrow?’

You can’t do business like that - and we get that. That’s why we’ve launched the Aerospace Growth Partnership. This is about us working together, thinking really long-term about how to make the UK the best place to design, manufacture and export.

Crucially, it’s not someone in Whitehall working out how many bolts should be in the next AgustaWestland helicopter; it’s a long-term industrial partnership that is being led by you; bringing more predictability to how you’re funded, how you research and how you plot your moves into new markets.

And speaking of AgustaWestland, the new AW189 which is going to fly here at Farnborough for the first time is a really good example of how government can work with you. We announced a £32million support package last year, already it’s bearing fruit, and that bodes well both for the diversification into civil aircraft and a closer partnership between government and business.

The second thing we hear from you is about skills. You want more vision, more investment - and with this government you’re getting it. We’re delivering a quarter of a million extra apprenticeships, rolling out 25,000 new Higher apprenticeships in sectors like aviation and establishing 24 new University Technical Colleges in the next couple of years.

Our universities are the finest in the world and we’re building on that reputation; investing £4.6 billion a year in science and research. And today we announce something else: a partnership with industry to have 500 new Master’s level graduates in aerospace engineering over the next three years. We are only as good as the people we’ve got and the skills they have got - and this just shows we are determined to be the best.

Third, we hear you want more support on exports - particularly defence exports. Now I personally have loaded up plane after plane with executives so we can get signatures on British contracts - and however much flak I got for that, I will do it all over again.

But there’s more that we as a government should do. We recognise there is a clear relationship between what the Ministry of Defence buys and the export orders you secure, because those overseas buyers want products that are mature and battle-proven. Over the past two years we have come in and taken a defence budget that was falling apart at the seams and we’ve sorted it out.

This isn’t some exercise in accounting for its own sake - it’s allowed us to turn the unfunded wish-lists we inherited into real commitments: new Chinooks; new work on the Warrior programme; an upgrade to our reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

And because of the work we’ve done, we can say that not only are we still going to have the fourth-largest defence budget in the world - but it’s going to be sustainable. Now when it comes to future decisions, we’ve made clear the priority has got to be getting maximum defence capability for every pound that’s spent.

Our armed forces deserve nothing less. But I don’t see this as an ‘either/or’ situation - buying for value or buying British. There’s more we can do to join the dots; to think in a more careful way about how to back this industry while getting the best deal for the Ministry of Defence as a customer. [????]

To that end I can tell you that just as we have started up the Aerospace Growth Partnership for the civil sector, so we want to start a similar dialogue with the defence and security industry - building on the White Paper published this year - so we can help you grow and thrive and create new jobs.

And as just a taster of that new, more collaborative approach I can make another announcement today. Typhoon and Tornado, equipped with outstanding low-collateral, high-precision munitions, were the battle winners in Libya. As Prime Minister I can tell you that it means an enormous amount to know that we have highly capable crews on highly capable aircraft. You know they are going to do exactly the job you have asked them to do and the precision is absolutely brilliant.

Building on that success, we have agreed with our partners to exploit the growth potential of Typhoon; boosting its already world-beating capabilities with integration of new weapons including the METEOR missile, an Electronically Scanned Radar and enhanced ground attack capability.

That’s good for the RAF which needs these capabilities, good for our export customers who want these capabilities and it is very good for the British manufacturers and British workers who are going to benefit.

It is now for industry to come forward with innovative and affordable proposals so we can move ahead together. And this is what our approach is all about: reconciling what’s best for UK security and the UK economy - and above all, thinking long-term.

So this, in short, is what you’re going to get from us: an unstinting, unrelenting, unflagging commitment to making Britain the best place in the world for aerospace. Our driving vision is to build an economy that is built on hi-tech manufacturing, that is fuelled by exports, that is making and selling the products the world wants to buy.

I look forward to working with everyone here to achieve that and now it gives me real pleasure to announce that the Farnborough Air Show 2012 is officially open for business.
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Published:
    10 July 2012

From:
    Cabinet Office
    Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street
    The Rt Hon David Cameron MP
-----------------------------------------------------

COMMENT

• 4th largest military spending in the world is massive spending.
• So it's military/technology race with India & China?
• What exactly did Cameron have to do to get executive signatures? 

Best part of speech was:

Frankly, I am a do-what-works Conservative. 

So I was right; he cannot be trusted because he'll do whatever is expedient.

UK - STEPPING UP MILITARY SPENDING - TO MEET US DEMAND FOR DOLLARS FROM ALLIANCE PARTNERS

Britain to detail 1.1 billion pounds investment in defence

LONDON Mon Jul 14, 2014 3:25am BST

(Reuters) - British Prime Minister David Cameron will announce 1.1 billion pounds of investment in defence on Monday, his office said, to bolster the country's ability to respond to threats such as global terrorism.

Britain has cut defence spending by around 8 percent over the last four years as part of a government plan to reduce a record budget deficit. Spending cuts included shrinking the size of the armed forces by around a sixth.

The investment, funded from savings made by the defence ministry, includes 800 million pounds for intelligence and surveillance, the government said, to extend the "range and flexibility" of British defence including the ability of special forces to respond to the threat of terrorism and hostage taking.
There will also be a 300 million pound investment in existing resources such as a new so-called E-Scan, or electronically scanning, radar for the Typhoon jet.

"Having modern, technologically advanced and flexible Armed Forces to protect us and our interests is vital," Cameron will say during a visit to the Farnborough air show, according to comments released by his office in advance.

"Because of the difficult decisions we have taken to tackle the deficit we are able to make these vital investments in our defence capabilities."

The government will also set out plans to boost Britain's defence industry, which employs more than 160,000 people and generated 9.8 billion pounds in exports in 2013.

This will include 4 million pounds for a maritime intelligence-focused centre in Portsmouth where scientists, engineers and naval specialists will work together to develop technology for use in autonomous unmanned boats and submarines.


SOURCE - UK Reuters - here.

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COMMENT

Funny reading the 'Cameron will say...'.
Why the heck doesn't HE just say it?

Laugh is, it's not him doing the saying; it will be something his spin-doc (Cameron's 'Larynx') speech writer cooked up months in advance, so the show comes off just right.

If you think I'm kidding, Google 'The prime minister's larynx'.
Heck, I'll make it easy for you.  Here's a link to the 'raven haired poet' 'former ice-cream seller', Larynx article - here.

Gee, the UK commitment to spending wouldn't have anything to do with the US, would it:

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Europe's Free Ride on the American-Defense Gravy Train

In a joint press conference in Warsaw with his Polish counterpart last month, President Obama declared that, while America's commitment to Europe was unwavering, "every NATO member has to do its fair share," committing "a proportional amount" of resources to the common security. Defending against future threats is "going to require some joint capabilities that right now we don't have," the president urged, and investing in them is "going to require every NATO member to step up."  He noted that "We have seen a decline steadily in European defense spending generally" and exhorted "that has to change."

[TAG TEAM!]
The next day, defense secretary Chuck Hagel continued where his boss left off, observing, "I am troubled that many nations appear content for their defense spending to continue declining." "Europe still lives in a dangerous world," Hagel said. "A world where peace must still be underwritten by the credible deterrent of military power." [LAUGHABLE]

[OBAMA'S CHEER-SQUAD]
A couple weeks later, national security advisor Susan Rice chimed in. While "The United States' commitment to the security of our allies is sacrosanct and always backed by the full weight of our military might," she assured, "we expect our partners to shoulder their share of the burden of our collective security." She added, "Collective action doesn't mean the United States puts skin in the game while others stand on the sidelines cheering. Alliances are a two-way street, especially in hard times when alliances matter most." Accordingly, "we expect every ally to pull its full weight through increased investment in defense and upgrading our Alliance for the future. Europe needs to take defense spending seriously and meet NATO's benchmark—at least two percent of GDP—to keep our alliance strong and dynamic." [CORPORATE PROFITS ARE TWO-WAY ALSO! LOL]  [Hilarious!]

Alas, none of those statements mentioned consequences if the Germans and others don't step up.  [Don't sweat it; UK dances to Obama's tune.]

Calls from America for European allies to pull their own weight, pay their fair share, be a security provider rather than a consumer, or at least meet their minimum commitment (once 3 percent of GDP, now 2 percent, and still unmet by the overwhelming number) have been predictably ignored since the 1970s, if not longer. With the end of the Cold War and the Alliance's original raison d'être, the argument has been even more difficult to make. The combination of the global recession, demographic challenges, and public weariness after a decade of fighting in Afghanistan made it impossible, with even stalwart allies like the United Kingdom making drastic cuts in defense spending. [But look how useful the Alliance has proved!  LOL]

[LIES - NO AGGRESSION FROM RUSSIA IN THE UKRAINE...US PUPPET GOVT IN UKRAINE IS AGGRESSOR AGAINST UKRAINIANS.  BULLSHIT ABOUT 'THREATS'.]
The recent Russian aggression in Ukraine was the latest wake-up call for NATO's oldest allies that they face real security threats. (The newer allies, who came under Moscow's dominance during the Soviet days, ostensibly didn't need the reminder but their spending patterns say otherwise.)  But the administration's actions belied their tough words, making clear that the United States would fill any shortfall from European underinvestment.  ['MERICA, FUCK YEAH!  OF COURSE THEY'RE GONNA PUMP THE $$$ INTO THEIR UKRAINE INVESTMENT...THEY'VE ALREADY COMMITTED BILLIONS!!!]

In the very same speech where he was exhorting the allies to do their "fair share," Obama was touting the European Reassurance Initiative, an unconditional American investment of "up to $1 billion" to "bolster the security of our NATO allies here in Europe." Presuming Congress approves (no small detail, that), "the United States will pre-position more equipment in Europe. We will be expanding our exercises and training with allies to increase the readiness of our forces." Additionally, the president promised, "We'll increase the number of American personnel—Army and Air Force units—continuously rotating through allied countries in Central and Eastern Europe. And we will be stepping up our partnerships with friends like Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia as they provide for their own defense." All of this was intended to "be a powerful demonstration of America's unshakable commitment to our NATO allies." [WHOEVER BELIEVES THIS IS ABOUT 'DEFENCE', 'THREATS', 'RUSSIAN VIOLENCE' etc IS A STOOGE...THIS IS ABOUT US IMPERIALISM IN EUROPE, ON BEHALF OF CORPORATE AMERICA...& THE U.K. -- DANCING TO US & TO CORPORATE TUNE - AIDS AND ABETS. SIMPLE.]

[PUPPET GENERAL BREEDLOVE]
Recently, General Philip Breedlove, who commands U.S. and NATO forces in Europe, issued a public plea to stop the drawdown of American troops on the continent and, in fact, "We may need to add additional rotational forces to cover the sustained and persistent presence that we are now envisioning." He added, "For the last 12 to 14 years, we've been looking at Russia as a partner . . . making decisions about force structure, basing investments, etcetera, etcetera, looking to Russia as a partner. Now what we see is a very different situation." [THE GENERAL DOES WHAT HE'S TOLD TO DO BY THE ADMINISTRATION...WHO ARE TOLD WHAT TO DO BY THEIR CORPORATE OWNERS.  OH, SURE.  FREE-FOR-ALL CORPORATE AMERICAN OWNED GOVERNMENT/MILITARY WAS EARNESTLY WORKING WITH THEIR COMMIE 'BROTHERS'.  LOL.]

Quite naturally, European politicians facing tough budgetary decisions will see this as an invitation to free ride on the American gravy train. With their publics reassured that United States troops will protect them from an increasingly belligerent Russia, why wouldn't they? [OMG!  THIS IS HILARIOUS.  PPL, YOU CAN'T DREAM THIS STUFF UP.  THE ONLY AGGRESSOR IS THE IMPERIALIST CARVING UP EUROPE & THE REST OF THE WORLD.]

In fairness to the administration, they're speaking to multiple audiences. They're simultaneously trying to signal resolve to Moscow, reassurance to our Eastern and Central European allies and partners while exhorting our richer allies in the West to do more. While they're not mutually exclusive, they're certainly not mutually supporting. [EVER THE 'DEFENDER' CLOAK, LOL]

Demands to do something the receiver doesn't want to do—in this case, spend money that could go to social welfare programs or job creation on defense—are useless without an "or else." [FUCK ME, THE GUY GIVES THE GAME AWAY RIGHT THERE!!  LOL!!  GOLD, PPL.  THIS IS GOLD!]  While senior American officials have been vaguely threatening for years that, if the Europeans didn't pony up for their own defense, the American taxpayer would stop doing it for them, it's long been obvious that the threat is hollow. To be sure, the United States has drawn down most of its huge pre-positioned force from the Cold War days. But there's simply no question that we'll respond rapidly in the event an ally is seriously threatened. So long as the Europeans know that's true, they're unlikely to change their behavior.  [TRUTH?  WHAT A LOAD OF GARBAGE.]

SOURCE - The National Interest - here.

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'The National Interest' needs a name change to 'The Corporate Interest'.

This isn't about dangers or threats.  

This is about spin to get the dollars to fund a US imperialist take-over of Eastern Europe -- for corporate America and their co-investors.


It's the US that is preparing to wage war on European soil, by the sound of it.

We're fucked.  These war-monger are going to drive the next world war.

Back to Cameron.  He's going to play the ability to meet 'threats' card with the public, to justify spending on guns instead of welfare.

He's going to sweeten the blow with assurances that savings had been made on prior military spending cuts...so, folks, it's not that bad.

He's going to sell it by telling the public its about modernising catch-ups & about CREATING JOBS.

LOL.  This is brilliant.

It's been timed in advance of the pending conference, so it looks like this is Cameron's masterly decision, instead of his master's.

That's my take on it.

LOL ... MWWWAAAAAAAHHH!!!

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P.S.  

GOVT SPIN RELATED:

Announcement at the 'air show' is perfect for Cameron, also.  It's a corporate event...promoting industry...it's a prestigious exhibition, most likely...it flexes (in a way) corporate and military muscles & they're up for admiration...and it's the perfect time to announce TECHNOLOGY SPENDING & NEW DEFENCE JOBS SPENDING.  LOL.

So this must have been planned for MONTHS...this 'sudden' billion dollar spending on military announcement.  LOL.


The Farnborough air show is being hosted at an airfield in rural England at present (it alternates with Paris annually). 

Exhibtion of war & passenger aircraft, I understand. 

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Boeing and Airbus Dominate:

And with the headwinds of the global economic crisis mostly behind the industry, business is booming again.

Jetliner output at rivals Boeing Co. ... and Airbus Group EADSY  NV is at record highs. The two together are delivering 100 passenger planes of all sizes to the world's airlines each month. They are also expanding their manufacturing footprints, both in the industrialized and industrializing world, as Airbus adds plants in Tianjin, China, and Mobile, Ala., while Boeing expands in South Carolina.

For many, the highlight of the military side of the show was expected to be the Lockheed Martin F-35. The fighter's excursion here was intended to shore up overseas support. Lockheed Martin needs orders beyond the U.S. to meet cost-reduction targets. 

But the fighter is, for now, a no-show, grounded after an engine fire in Florida three weeks ago.  [OOPS]

SOURCE - Wall Street Journal -July 14, 2014 12:15 a.m. ET - here.

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Boeing =  US
Airbus Group = multinational - R/O Netherlands but main office France.