MaroonMan4,
HMG and the British public cannot have it all - either cut defence and step off the world stage or resource and fund it properly.
Actually, I think the view of most politicians in power is that they CAN have it all. Yes, the military complain and moan, but ultimately they always get the job done. The only political risk is when loss of life can be traced DIRECTLY to lack of funding (thus the effort to get body armour and helicopters).
It will not be until we actually fail on a mission that we can really expect to get more funding.