On the negative side, a 2 yr gap in ASW and MR/ISTAR role, with the early retirement of MR2 and delay to MRA4. Minimal savings as we are tied into a maintenance and support contract until 2012.
Frm the announcement ( my bold ):- "We intend to withdraw the Nimrod MR2 force 12 months early and slow the introduction of the MRA4 force. This will have an impact on our use of RAF Kinloss, but there is no change to our assumptions on the future basing of the MRA4 force at this stage. The decision to withdraw MR2 has been taken for financial reasons and is unconnected to the report by Mr Haddon Cave into the circumstances that led to the tragic loss of Nimrod XV230 in Afghanistan: Mr Haddon Cave was very clear in his report that the aircraft remains safe to fly. I will be making a further statement to the House in respect of Mr Haddon-Cave's report tomorrow
Clearly leaving room to manoeuvre, in true Sir Humphrey fashion.
In the words of Cpl. Fraser, "We're all doomed...."