Cake and eat it time, eh P-T-G? As the minority airspace user, if MoD wants to play the big boys' game, it should do so by the big boys' rules. But no, it'll seize on anything which costs less, irrespective of the ultimate effect on cost/benefit. Same goes for operation of ETOPS aircraft; if they're not maintained in accordance with ETOPS rules, then they shouldn't be flown under ETOPS rules.
The basics can be learned in a simulator, as can abnormal procedures and some operational procedures. But there will still be a minimum level of experience and real world skill development which must be completed in a real aircraft.
The gleam in the beancounters' eyes at the thought of less flying hours and more UAVs need to be tempered by caution. In any case, who on earth would want to join a military flying organisation to fly simulators or aeromodels?