Hi DM - yes indeed - my 30 figure of course relates to the post MCSP situation - and the comparison of cost was not intended to relate to the role, merely the airframe cost as potentially the most expensive UK helo ever. A simple division of the £4.6 billion spent on Merlin Mk1 for 44 airframes since the original project start says it all. Not a criticism at this point (particularly as the original pre SDR98 plan saw 105 airframes entering service which would have amortised the costs per airframe considerably) - just a comparative statement that can sit alongside the Mk3 debacle. As for the Mk3 itself, it too was not merely intended to be a battlefied "truck" so be wary of such simplistic comparisons IMO.
Cheers
Last edited by Tallsar; 14th Jan 2010 at 19:59.