Scrap the MoD
Fully agree your comment on the political parties RR. Politicians from all sides are happy to play with the big boys on the international stage when it comes to defence but when it comes down to coughing up the readies to maintain that capability they are found wanting.
In that same vein you have an eternal issue with the MoD (as all countries have) in that defence is technology driven which is expensive and evolves rapidly making bringing new kit into service an absolute nightmare even before you factor in the seemingly continual Treasury trimming of the budgets.
Grateful if those knocking the MoD and its staff would desist unless they have actually worked there, the vast majority of its people are trying to do a good job under some pretty trying situations and are fully committed to providing the best possible kit to the guys and girls at the sharp end who are fighting to preserve the liberties we enjoy. Dont believe the cr@p reports you see in the press, MoD staff are not paid a fortune in fact for some of the jobs they do they are distinctly underpaid if you compare what they could get outside.