Originally Posted by
AnglianAV8R
Broadly correct in terms of total fleet costs, but probably not in this case.
The costs of operating a bespoke bunch of 2 seater Typhoons must be considerably greater than the very (relatively) simple Hawk T1. twice the number of engines, hugely increased fuel burn and so forth.
There are sufficient spare Hawk frames to maintain the Reds up to the OSD. Not so with this finite number tranche1 2 seat Typhoons ?
Plus with the Hawks you get 9 more often than not. With Tr1 twin stickers you would be lucky to get 3...