"Are you able to tell us more about the large-scale attacks which the Commies mounted against us which our excellent AD capability bravely defeated in pitched battle? Presumably you agree that our current MPA capability is wholly sufficient on the grounds that there haven't been any strikes on the British Isles by Russian subs/shipping?"
It's all a matter of deterrence and intent. There were no large-scale attacks by the Russians during the Cold War so, either what we had was a sufficient deterrent, or they no intent in mounting such attacks. Either way, my statement was correct - what we had was sufficient.
The current situation with MPA is different, we have no deterrent, but again, do they have the intent? Certainly not in the short term I would suggest. Therefore, whilst our lack of MPA needs to be addressed in order to provide a longer term solution, the current financial climate dictates that we have to invest our money to provide capabilities that counter a clear capability and intent from a hostile nation.
Bear