That's it sorted then, AirTanker is a great deal because DeaconBlue has told us so and he's also told us that he knows a lot.
1) Loss of airframe. Under all normal operations this is covered by insurance.
Well let's hope we manage to keep Voyager in a better state than we've kept other aircraft. That is meeting all of the relevant standards, legislators requirements etc.
2) (Financially) IT'S A MORTGAGE
No it's not.
3) (operationally) IT'S BETTER THAN A MORTGAGE... You get assurance the equipment / service will operate or you withhold payment until it works... try doing that with your mortgage payment when the bolier breaks down and see how far it gets you
And we've all seen over the years how well the MoD has held industry to account haven't we?
It's not a perfect system
You got that one right! Any other countries queueing up to follow the UK's procurement examples?
S-D