“funding is still tight”
We must remember that this doesn’t necessarily mean there is not enough funding for the actual requirement. Funding can be “tight” because what they have has been wasted.
Which reminds me of the time funding was committed by a certain Gp Capt to procure equipment to integrate with the C130’s ACTIVE DIPPING SONAR. (Just how does a C130 transition to hover?). Upside – the company flatly refused to quote when told what a/c it was for, so the kit wasn’t bought (at least not in my time). Downside – he argued so long that it became too late to spend the money in that FY on something sensible. That is, it was wasted.
But hey, what do I know? He was senior, and therefore right; a long standing principle, upheld, in writing, by CDP and Ministers.