I did not spell out the previous 2xx replies, but I've always been amazed by the MR4 project
IMO two groups are to blame for the end result:
- the folks that convinced politics that it was smart and necessary to upgrade/rebuild the Nimrods instead of buying something of the shelf
- the folks that accepted this plan. What were they thinking..
The Dutch navy did the same thing. Successfully sticking /hanging on to cold war requirements, 18 hour ASW ranges, 15 crew members, not adjusting/scaling down for 15 years until some politician sees through the game played and wipes away everything.
If those air forces had traded in half their Nimrods/P3C for smaller aircraft 10-15 years ago, they would still have existed. Fishery / pollution / coast control with Nimrods, P3s is laughable and everybody knew. But proud guys had to hold on to the big glorious platforms, spanning the world seas.
