Originally Posted by
scribbler614
Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, Chief of the Air Staff added:
"This announcement represents an enormous step forward in this vital
programme for the RAF and UK Defence. Air-to-Air refuelling and
strategic airlift are fundamental to the UK's expeditionary
capability and FSTA is a crucial part of that. Although our current
fleets of VC10 and Tristar aircraft are doing a superb job, both
fleets are coming towards the end of their useful lives. I am,
therefore, delighted that this key milestone has been achieved, and I
look forward to getting the new aircraft and facilities into service
as soon as possible."
And he also added that "we will make them as safe as they need to be, though we err are err not quite sure what that is yet".