Jam today versus jam tomorrow.
We needed new training aircraft across the spectrum. I have no idea how much Phenoms, Prefects, Junos and Texans cost but I have a fair idea how much Hawks cost.
If we’d managed to afford new aircraft I would bet good money we would have been operating out of manky old buildings in perpetuity.
No government wants to stump up billions in one go. Spreading the cost (even if it turns out to be far more expensive in the long run) is how governments work.
You know all of this as well as I do.
BV