Let us say that MOD wants to buy a new tank. There are two options available. One is a German tank costing £6M each, and one a British tank costing £10M each (the numbers are made up!!). The actual performance of each tank is broadly similar.
Which should MOD buy.....?
I love this analogy.
The chances of the UK tank having similar performance on paper are good [in reality - zero]. Because all UK companies know the MOD is a cash cow, we then get bumraped over spares, upgrades and through life support.
Two things scream out at me here.....
1. Why German, and not US?
2. Why is the economy in Swindon [ or anywhere else] as important, or more important, than a soldiers life?