Pardon me, but I can't find the thread that was discussing the impending purchase of ex USAF KC-135s for the above role.
After the debacle of Chinook HC3, MRA4 etc, I can't help being cynical. I expect some plonker in Whitehall reckons it will be a cheap option, but suspect that the s/hand airframes will become sink holes for money whilst being anglicised?
As it has been decided to only operate nine MRA.4 Nimrods and not make the three development airframes operational, why not use them? After all, the UK taxpayer effectively owns the damn things many times over. Or perhaps they are destined to be stripped for spares to keep the nine going?
Whilst our colonial cousins have an extremely large and capable airforce,
I don't think anyone will disagree that they get their moneys worth out of their airframes before they are cast aside. when was the last C-135 variant completed?
For those of you operating tired, old kit, you have my deepest respect. Stay safe
