Isn't it time to lock this thread?
Well that is for the mods of course, but I should hope not for it is serving the causes of Military Airworthiness Regulation well. You say you do not want more bureaucracy, RP, and normally I would agree, especially those of a European hue, but far more importantly none of us want any more avoidable accidents and the associated losses that come with them. You may think that saying:
The MAR system worked perfectly well until a shortage of cash forced us to "lean" things.
is a perfectly reasonable position to take, I do not for I find it an outrageous concept and at the very core of the issue. It shows that the MOD cannot be left with Military Airworthiness Regulation, for it will simply revert to type the next time it finds itself a bit short. An MAA alongside or as a part of the CAA will ensure that it cannot. No doubt, like the CAA, it will be involved in European Airworthiness integration. So be it, the UK military will at least be operating airworthy fleets, unlike now.