(http://blog.old-and-bold.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Mac-Independent-Scotland.jpg)
A little late for inspiration, I guess, but someone linked to a document published a couple days ago that I found pretty interesting.
http://www.scottishglobalforum.net/uploads/2/2/6/1/22614014/stn_report.pdf (http://www.scottishglobalforum.net/uploads/2/2/6/1/22614014/stn_report.pdf)
It's surprisingly well-done and specific, too. For instance:
A fast jet aircraft capability
A Scottish Air Force (SAF) should have a squadron of fast jet multi-role aircraft, tasked principally with the air defence of Scotland, including Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) flights. These craft should be versatile in scope so that they can also be tasked, if required, to deploy in support of NATO operations. This squadron should number between 15 and 20 aircraft, including a flight operating normally in the operational conversion unit role.
In terms of preferred type, a newly independent Scotland might well be offered a ‘proportional share’ of the UK’s fleet of Typhoon jets as part of its share of UK inherited assets (UKIA).35 However, this may not necessarily be the most appropriate option for Scotland and Sc0ttish planners should be careful not to be seduced by the appeal of equipment which may well be ‘high-end’ but which is also expensive and whose capabilities might be considered superfluous to what Scotland actually needs. The government of a newly independent Scotland should also be wary of entering into military agreements with rUK which may give the impression of continued Scottish ‘dependency’, or which have the potential to push Scotland towards solutions which are not in its best interests.
A newly independent Scotland might be best advised to reject the Typhoon as an option for its air defence as they are costly to buy (around £70 million per aircraft) and maintain. A more prudent choice might lie in an alternative multirole fighter jet such as the Saab Gripen which can cost around half of what a Typhoon costs and is nonetheless a highly regarded aircraft which is currently favoured by, amongst others, the Swedish, Czech and Swiss Governments.
An independent Scotland’s fast jet force would perhaps be smaller than the fast jet forces currently maintained by states such as Denmark but it should be noted that many states are currently reviewing their future requirements for fast jets with a view to downsizing fleets.
Scotland’s squadron should be supported by a 15-aircraft squadron of jet aircraft of the Hawk 200 type, or similar. These aircraft could carry out some air-policing and other similar tasks most cost-effectively and they would also act as an advanced jet trainer for SAF pilots. Whilst we disagree with the contention that Hawk could meet all of an independent Scotland’s requirements, we do agree that as part of the SAF’s development, Hawk could provide an effective early component of a newly independent Scotland’s air policing capability.
Cheers,
Logan