pr00ne,
Completely agree that PFI is a scandal for this - but would take a small amount of issue with your comment,
"but we just do not have the cash up front now".
Surely what you mean is:
"The Government has chosen not to fund this as a conventional procurement because it wants to spend money in other areas, and therefore is prepared to pay a higher through life cost for a more limited capability"
Or more bluntly
"We're getting a PFI deal because the Government is not interested in recapitalising defence as it has done with the NHS"
Yes? No?
S41