davejb
"The Great British Public" (whose spending power is being squeezed every which way due to the state of the Nations finances) would certainly express surprise that the aircraft that you insist is a "must have" as a Maritime Patrol Aircraft is based on a design which first flew on 27 July 1949.
To put that into context; 32 days after the 1st flight of a Comet the prototype Vampire Night Fighter first flew on 28 August 1949. We do not base the UK's all weather Air Defence needs on a 62 year old design - so why should we do so in the case of an extremely limited order for Maritime Patrol Aircraft?
United Kingdom PLC is effectively hovering on the brink of bankruptcy - yet our Armed Forces are severely stretched by a conflict in Afghanistan where there is no Maritime threat.
In an Ideal World all things are possible - the World in which we live is far from ideal and the Country has to live within its means. Remember it was only 6 years ago that the UK finally paid off the debts accumulated during World War Two!!!
PS We still owe for World War 1.
Last edited by cazatou; 24th Mar 2011 at 13:51.