You are working off the basis that supplying troops is the priority in terms of defense strategy for the next 30 years.
Sorry to piss on your bonfire, but it is not. AT generally however is. The assumption we could be a rapidly deployable force with the introduction of FRES with 6 C-17 and 24 Herc J is a little farcical.
Having said that, defence is in prime territory for defense cuts, even if that means reducing our commitment in the Stan. Keeping woolies/Royal ban k of scotland/Long term Doleite Scum in existence is far more important in terms of votes to Labour than occupying a land a quater way around the globe ever would have been.
Helimarshall, Quatar have been doing it for years. As for whether the lads would like to do it that way, since when has that been factored in the equation?