Can't agree more with you Geoffers (long time no speak by the way!). As for updating the SK fleet - surely it can be done (Carson etc...) - and who knows maybe at least one of the bidders has considered this too? However, everyone has to step back and remember that MoD has virtually no cash at the moment other than some comiited to long running programmes and ops. And crab my old friend - not all the £3-5Bn is coming from MoD - the DfT has a signifcant input here, and it is going pay for a lot more than just the 66 mil aircrew of course - even Lossie might a new hangar ( at f****g last!!!
) Even some of the sacred cows might be up for the chop in the near future which is causing much angst in all 3 services. Whats for sure in my mind is that finding the cash for a SK3/5 update and then keeping it mil manned is not fianancially or politically feasible at the mo without chopping something more precious off the (underfunded) front line fighting capability - and that ain't gonna wash at all.