BRITISH ESTIMATES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 55, 7 March 1927, Page 11

BRITISH ESTIMATES

PROGRAMME ADVANCED

HOME DEFENCE STRONGER

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, sth March,

The net Air Estimates for the coming year total £15,550,000, compared with £1G,000,000 for this year. In a memorandum accompanying the estimates it is stated that'the operational unit? now maintained are equivalent to sixty-three squadrons, of which fiftysix are on a regular basis. Two new noil-regular squadrons—one special reserve and one auxiliary air foree —have been formed, and. the Home Defence Force has been increased also by the addition of one regular squadron which beenme available through' a reduction in the Imperial Garrison in Irak. The Home Defence Force now consists of 28 squadrons, including seven on a nonregular basis, and more than half the original programme of 52 squadrons has thus been completed. It is intended to form two new regular squadrons for Home Defence during the financial year 1927. In addition one -non-regular squadron will be formed. Provision is made for five new flights, equivalent to 2J squadrons, for the Fleet Air Arm These are required for the complement of aircraft for His Majesty's ship Courageous, which ia due to commission as an aircraft carrier in the "course of the financial year.

SIX MORE SQUADRONS.

The strength of the Fleet air arm will thereby be raised from 18 to 23 flights equivalent to about 11* squadrons. One new squadron will also commence to form for army co-operation at Home, in addition to four squadrons already provided. This is called for by the development of Catterick as an army training centre. It will thus be seen that it is proposed in all to increase the strength of the Royal Air Force during the yearby the addition of approxfmately six squadrons or their equivalent In consequence of the settlement ot the northern boundary question and of .the progress in the development of the Irak army the air garrison in Irak is being reduced from eight squadrons to «V«; i ? \ ni~3 s<3uadrons are at present located in Middle Eastern theatres. Six squadrons continue to be maintained in India.