Knowitall,
Yes, Army RP pay the running costs for SH, but the RAF still mans the SH force with crews and maintainers. How about the AT force though? Who's taken the combat attrition the past few years?
Tim,
Agreed - if we intend to withdraw from F-35 then we're bu**ered. But then so is the CVF programme. IMHO better to "drip feed" F-35 over multi-years to spread the "wedge" of capital spend and gain access to later block numbers, with a ramp up if the strategic outlook changes (time permitting....)