Fatter Gator said:
'MoD can't afford the P8 and won't be in a position to do so inside a sensible timeframe.'
Quite a sweeping statement.
How much does a P8 cost?
How many do we need?
What is a 'sensible timeframe?'
Why is the RAF sending it's former Nimrod personnel to other countries to preserve their MPA skills?
Fair point.
For clarity, MoD can't afford
ONE P8 and appropriate DLoD support and won't be in a position to do so inside a sensible timeframe. Unitary cost is likely to be itro USD$280 million
P-8A Poseidon / 737 MMA, Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft. Admittedly unitary cost and price are not the same thing but it ain't gonna be cheap and we're broke. A sensible timeframe is this side of FF2020. Anything the other side puts you into a completely different set of planning assumptions.
The RAF is sending it's former Nimrod personnel to other countries to preserve their skills iot be able to man (or woman Reg) a platform it will be able to afford. I contend that platform is likely to be an Alenia 235/239 or simliar.
Best,
Sun Who.