Hmmm....
Faded old notes of mine made in 1996 indicate that there was a requirement for 25 'FLA' aircraft to replace half the C130K fleet - and that In Service Date (i.e. 50% in use) was to be....2004.
Also 9 C-17s.
Also a need for 36 'MRTT' aircraft to replace the VC10, VC10K and TriStar fleet. Assumed then to be the A310MRTT.....
10 years later? Well, the RAF has its C130Js. The C130Ks are being caned by high operational tempos, the 'MRTT' is nowhere in sight - and even if the TriStars are not replaced, with a mere 9 A330MRTTs in use, that makes for a total future jet transport force of.....23 aircraft? 5 C-17, 9 A330, 9 TriStar?