I suspect that the current furore is more to do with fighting over a budget that is miniscule in proportion to the task. This governement is not swayed by historical argument, nor by whose got the best mess dress, but by by press headlines.
In between the Gulf Wars, the RAF had the whip hand in the politicians eyes due to the various ops going on and were at the front of the money queue, their money was spent on fast jet and weapons. The others had the hind t1t.
The situation is now changing, the Army needs the budget urgently and the defence budget by its nature is not very responsive in the short term. Typhoons money is locked down in contract, I would guess that anything else is up for grabs by delay or cancellation. JSF delays are a good reason for delaying CVF and releasing near term budget. I would also guess that FSTA money will be siphoned off.
regards
retard