The odd billion here, the odd billion there, soon your talking real money!

[draken55]

As per www.defencemanagement.com

"The whole life cost of the programme is in the order of £12-13bn, which covers everything – MoD costs, crews, aircraft, infrastructure, servicing, even the aviation fuel the tankers are likely to burn – over 27 years, adjusted for inflation. This is a truly all-in contract and the first major defence project with no hidden elements. Over 27 years, this works out at £400m per year for the full FSTA service. This is not privatisation by stealth. RAF pilots will continue to fly the aircraft when in military use and RAF engineering personnel will continue to undertake some maintenance activities on the aircraft"