Ben Cowles
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THE military-industrial complex was beside itself with joy on social media over the weekend as a fighter jet landed vertically on the deck of Britain’s newest aircraft carrier.
It prompted a flurry of postings from the military’s official Twitter accounts, praising Britain’s ability to rule the waves once more.
The RAF posted: “The first F-35B Lightning fighter jets have landed on the deck of the UK’s new [HMS Queen Elizabeth] aircraft carrier, making history and marking the beginning of more than half-a-century of ‘carrier strike’ operations.”
The first F-35B Lightning fighter jets have landed on the deck of the UK’s new @HMSQnlz aircraft carrier, making history and marking the beginning of more than half-a-century of ‘Carrier Strike’ operations. #F35OnDeck pic.twitter.com/KGw3hDvMX8
— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) September 29, 2018
What those “carrier strike operations” entail was not mentioned, but Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson crowed that Britain can now decisively strike anywhere in the world from the seas.
“The historic first landing on the deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth,” he said, “is a monumental moment in our country’s proud military history. It is also a statement of Britain’s determination to promote peace and prevent war.”
First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones joined the love-in, saying Britain’s “carrier strike is a capability beyond the reach of most nations.”
HMS Queen Elizabeth is the lead ship of two Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, which have reportedly cost at least £6.1 billion and were built by multinational arms traders BAE Systems, Babcock International, A&P Tyne, and Cammell Laird.
Stop the War UK national convener Lindsey German told the Star: “Aircraft carriers are floating airfields. They are used for what the Air Force describes as ‘force projection’ in the Middle East and South Asia.
“This is what used to be called gunboat diplomacy. It should have died out with the Victorian era and today only serves to disguise the abject failure of Britain’s imperial interventions across the world.”
