Flipster
I agree with what you say, but may I make two observations;
“RWR and Sidewinders overnight in the hangar”
There is a difference between fitting such kit in accordance with detailed instructions that someone with foresight prepared long ago, presumably underpinned by full installation design, design incorporation, testing and trials etc; and the scenario I describe which ignores the problem in the first place.
“that there was no money available, so there was no point asking”
I know you are correct and that this attitude prevails. But, the procurement system works entirely on the principle that, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. I described, in part, the process by which the operator asks. If you ask, there will always be an audit trail to the decision. Not asking invites the accusation SoS is making – that because there was no request there can be no blame at ministerial or higher MoD level. Then you start arguing about the culture created by political decsions and get bogged down......