Originally Posted by
Buster15
Thank you ES. Confirms my point. What a ridiculous way to run the defence of one of the richest countries. I thought that the majority of the maintenance and support of Tornado was by BAE (Attac) and RR (ROCET) for the engine. Moreover with F35 so late what about the manpower that should have been working on that programme.
As they say - shame to ruin the ship for a hapeth of tar....
I agree with you on the GR4 retirement schedule - no reason whatsoever (other than funding) that they couldn't have been run on a few extra years, to provide some much needed contingency whilst F35 ramps up. Unfortunately, the decisions taken are now too far gone for any serious change, by all accounts there are only about 25 airframes still operational
That said I can definitely see one of those ass-saving, last minute decisions coming to run the last ones on for an extra 6-12 months.