Interesting that "we" can find the money to scrape together a couple of theatre hacks for senior officers and visiting politicians yet struggle to find it to get the C130J fleet back on it's feet.
I have absolutely no problem with having "decent" jets to move our hierarchy around in but one does have to question their priorities when our TacAT fleet is so shagged that it's easier/cheaper to sack off crews than it is to fix the aircraft. I smell some low quality wisdom that is hoping the J will just about struggle on at minimal expense until the A400 arrives. I would also like to take this opportunity to predict yet another MoD sponsored royal balls up when this epic bit of strategic thought turns out to be horse****. Again.
C-S: Despite pr00ne being a dreadful old North London socialist he is quite correct. The infrastructure already exists to support to the 146 as it is already in service. A couple of second hand jets is infinitely cheaper than taking on a new type. It is also, it would seem, cheaper than C130 spares....