As far as the UK is concerned it must be affordable.
There are,IMHO ,too many questions about the P8.
It will be expensive, with a 1300 mile range and four hours on station.
Will that be enough for the UK's many miles of coastline ?
Unfortunately Lockheed did not produce the P7.
That leaves low time P3's (relatively) or C130J's ?
Marshall's claim they can do a good job on the C130J.
Even with the A400M arriving, will there be any C130J's available?
The yanks owe us one for giving them our Harriers on the cheap.
We will take a number of P3's. In a basic condition, refurbish them ourselves, and put in
our own radar and systems.
Let Marshall's do it. Keep BAe systems out of it.