As ever tuc you hit the nail on the head. The MOD airworthiness "framework" is neither robust nor regulatory. It is a sham, as false as a stage magician's act. As has been said, it is nothing more than a hollow shell, which makes it more dangerous than if it did not exist. It conjures up false hope, like an Orwellian Ministry of Truth. That is the antitheses of Airworthiness and to professional aviators anathema, surely. An external MAA would not be a panacea, civil aircraft accidents and incidents happen despite the CAA's best endeavours. But its business would be what it says on the tin. Divergence away from its standards and regulations would be flagged up, rather as an accountants audit would damn a dodgy company. The easy option of saving defence money 'squandered' otherwise on safe and reliable aircraft would become painful and public. The secrecy surrounding so much of what the MOD does and doesn't do does not protect our armed forces it protects the men in power, uniformed and suited. Time they were outed and shown for the con merchants that they are.