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GAP said:Where do you think the dress code for Catholic School Girls came from?....huh....huh....
Big burly Scottish warriors? ;D
GAP said:Where do you think the dress code for Catholic School Girls came from?....huh....huh....
cupper said:Aww Hell, I'll go. As long as you can qualify with Scottish ancestry. iper:
.... The problem facing a newly independent Scotland seems to be that the UK military assets are simply not appropriate for what will be a low level defence force in a relatively small country. Stripped of the recruiting, support and logistical contracts and pipeline that have sustained the equipment, one can imagine a future Scottish Defence Force burdened down with legacy equipment which requires expensive training and support to run properly, and which is too expensive to meet what will be a very small budget.
One could almost argue that rather than take much UK military equipment, it would be more sensible for Scotland to instead take a large cash payment and procure a low level defence force (with UK forces providing sovereignty assurance in the interim) which better meets their specific needs. So, procurement of low level OPVs, simple vehicles and so on – in other words start from scratch with something that is feasible, and not take on equipment that is designed for a very different role ....
Colin P said:I wonder if the "New Scotland" will copyright kilts and bagpipes, requiring a payment of fees for every public appearance as way to finance the new dream?
More details at the Scottish government's web page on international relations & the independent military here..... Defence capabilities at the point of independence
Maritime forces
One naval squadron to secure Scotland’s maritime interests and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and contribute to joint capability with partners in Scotland’s geographical neighbourhood, consisting of:
two frigates from the Royal Navy’s current fleet
a command platform for naval operations and development of specialist marine capabilities (from the Royal Navy’s current fleet, following adaptation)
four mine counter measure vessels from the Royal Navy’s current fleet
two offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) to provide security for the 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). However, as the Royal Navy only has four OPVs currently[263], a longer lead time for procurement might be necessary
four to six patrol boats from the Royal Navy’s current fleet, capable of operating in coastal waters, providing fleet protection and also contributing to securing borders
auxiliary support ships (providing support to vessels on operations), which could be secured on a shared basis initially with the rest of the UK
These arrangements will require around 2,000 regular and at least 200 reserve personnel.
Land forces
An army HQ function and an all-arms brigade, with three infantry/marine units, equipped initially from a negotiated share of current UK assets, and supported by:
a deployable Brigade HQ
two light armoured reconnaissance units
two light artillery units
one engineer unit deploying a range of equipment for bridging, mine clearance and engineering functions
one aviation unit operating six helicopters for reconnaissance and liaison
two communication units
one transport unit
one logistics unit
one medical unit
Special forces, explosives and ordnance disposal teams will bring the total to around 3,500 regular and at least 1,200 reserve personnel.
Air forces
Key elements of air forces in place at independence, equipped initially from a negotiated share of current UK assets, will secure core tasks, principally the ability to police Scotland’s airspace, within NATO.
an Air Force HQ function (with staff embedded within NATO structures)
Scotland will remain part of NATO‘s integrated Air Command and Control (AC2) system, initially through agreement with allies to maintain the current arrangements while Scotland establishes and develops our own AC2 personnel and facility within Scotland within five years of independence
a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) squadron incorporating a minimum of 12 Typhoon jets based at Lossiemouth
a tactical air transport squadron, including around six Hercules C130J aircraft, and a helicopter squadron
flight training through joint arrangements with allies
In total this would require around 2,000 regular personnel and around 300 reserve personnel.
Civilian support
In addition to military capability following a vote for independence, the Scottish Government will establish core government capacity for defence functions, such as strategic planning, oversight and policy functions for defence and security. Given the importance of ongoing shared security interests between Scotland and the rest of the UK, we will ensure a partnership approach during the period of transition to independence.
Following a vote for independence, priorities for the Scottish Government capacity dealing with defence will be planning for the strategic security review to be carried out by the first Scottish Parliament following independence, based on the most recent UK National Risk Assessment and input from Scottish experts and academic institutions.
Defence capabilities five years after independence
Further development of Scotland’s defence and security capabilities will be decided following the strategic review of security undertaken by the first elected Parliament and government of an independent Scotland.
However the current Scottish Government believes that the following elements should be prioritised for delivery as early as possible in the first five years following independence, building on the forces in place at independence:
Maritime forces
A second naval squadron to contribute to NATO and other operations outside home waters, incorporating the naval command platform, and a further two frigates with tanker and support ship capacity.
Overall the model would involve around 2,400 regular and at least 270 reserve personnel. While most of the personnel would be required by the five year point, this model envisages increases continuing through the first ten years following independence (due to procurement of new Scottish naval vessels).
Land forces
Developing the All Arms brigade’s capabilities to include:
increases to strengths of the three infantry battalions (to a combined total of 1,500 regular and 300 reserve personnel)
upgrading of the light armour, artillery, aviation and medical units
increasing the strength of the special forces unit
increasing the number of personnel deployed to conflict prevention, disarmament and defence diplomacy
Overall, this would entail an increase in numbers, over the years following independence, to around 4,700 regular and at least 1,110 reserve personnel.
Air forces
Increasing the fast jet fleet of Typhoons potentially up to 16 aircraft which would enable Scotland to contribute to alliance operations overseas.
Increasing the Scottish contribution to capabilities for air defence, as part of an integrated system within NATO.
At present, the UK has no maritime patrol aircraft. During this period options for procurement will be taken forward and airborne maritime patrol capability delivered. A detailed specification of requirement will be developed as a priority and final numbers of aircraft required will depend on this. However, the numbers maintained by comparable nations suggests a potential fleet of four.
Development across all of those areas would entail an overall increase in numbers to around 3,250 regular and at least 300 reserve personnel.
Defence capabilities after 10 years
This Government plans that, 10 years after independence, Scotland will have a total of 15,000 regular and 5,000 reserve personnel across land, air and maritime forces ....
Independent Scotland would keep queen, pound and TV shows but create own military
Scotland will keep the United Kingdom's queen and currency but will create its own defense force and passports if the country votes for independence next year, the nationalist government pledged Tuesday.
A 600-page blueprint setting out detailed terms for Scotland’s possible separation from Britain was published by First Minister Alex Salmond.
It promises no overall tax increases and says the scrapping of nuclear defenses would help pay for policy pledges on welfare payments and public education.
The “Scotland’s Future” document [PDF link] aims to convince Scots they should vote to end a 306-year union with England in a referendum taking place on September 18, 2014.
More at...
NBC news
Hudyma said:Who else thinks this might end like a bad divorce?
Crantor said:We'll see. If it even happens.
An independant Scotland might find that what it thinks it will get in comparison to what they will actually get to be a bit wider than they think.
There will be lessons to be learned that will most certainly apply here should the idea to seperate become more serious.
cupper said:It will end just fine when I reassert my family's ancient claim to the Scottish Throne.