With all this going on they have bought 3 ex USAF aircraft to replace the R1, with there mods and refits this will cost more than £100 Million per a/c , just makes you wonder if there is seperate budgets for MR2 and R1. It appears not as its more important to fly R1s than have MR2s, but Im sure its been thought through and I trust the MOD for making the choice. End of the day they have to make cuts , MR2 first then VC10 next year , much saving im sure.