Its probably best not to answer the original question directly, but hasten to say ALL types and ALL of our folks are working hard and still out there doing their best in trying circumstances.
Now Jacko has it about right when procurement/political expediency and good old freedom of speech are brought to the fore.
Beags misses the original point by harping on about dark age wonder jets then biting at anyone sticking his/her head up.
The RAF AT long term plot like the whole of Brit Mil Plc is in a curious state of flux and the biggest influence is political (allied to £££ +votes) Now were in the aforementioned places for mostly political reasons. The future of C130k/j and A400 and super nimrod and super fighter and super tanker and super tank and super gun and super boat and super (but much slimmer) UK Mil are all in the melting pot.
Its going to be an interesting time for us all, journalists and politicians included
