There would be little scope to absorb the manpower except for the expensively trained pilots and other specialists
Like the pilots, ATC, Operations staff, Airframe and engine specialists, the newly trained CSAR teams and the rest... that really just leaves the Regiment, adminners and catering staff!
There is only one service whose work can be undertaken by the other two
Yep, the Army... The RAF have the Regiment, and the RN the RM. The RAF and RN have experience operating fast jet, helicopters and multi engined aircraft. Both have operated boats/ships...
So much for the motivational speech pre-Iraq 2003... Now he's talking out of his bottom...
Who does he have in his pocket? This sounds just like the NHS, cut back on medication to feed the fat cat executives who have never been in the front line. "This would allow us to concentrate the existing Defence budget on just two services and use the vast savings, on infrastructure, senior officers and staff" That means stuff the cannon fodder and National Security, lets make the senior officers wealthy at taxpayers expense. Sorry, will now climb down off my soapbox.
Trying to eliminate any entire facet of our defences is a bad idea. Believing that the UK mainland will never again come under [conventional] attack is probably wishful thinking too.
Back in the 1960s and 70s thinking was to draw down and perhaps do away with the FAA, another seriously bad idea and something thats nearly happening again (until we get the new carriers).
All three forces will probably get reduced in size again as the cost of equipment (which together with the cost of its operation and maintenance, I am guessing eats the large portion of the MoD's budget) goes ever upward. Hopefully they will also metamorphose to be better prepared for the sort of threats we now face and away from the current and previous set up, primarily designed for a Cold War conflict.
I think that what he's really talking about is a merging of the naval and air strike forces into a single force... and he may have a point. Although it does have certain attractions I can't see it happening anytime soon.
The FAA would certainly get a new lease of life though .
If they want to cut costs, get the government to leave the EU, and use the money saved to fund the armed forces. (or better still, hospitals and tax cuts.)
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