This all seems like something from a "Yes Prime Minister " sketch. We scrap an excellent platform (R1) because another version of that platform is declared unsafe (MR 2) after spending miliions developing an advanced version (MRA 4).
We then buy an older platform (EC-135) from some one else who is already using it quite happily. But... we can't use the newly purchased platform because of the red tape put in place (quite correctly) after a fatal enquiry into a crash of the original platform concludes that better safety checks should have been in place. Said safety checks are put in place but they now prevent us flying the newly aquired platform.
Where were the checks and balances, project management, forward planning, risk assessment- whatever we want to call it that should have checked to see if we could have been cleared to fly the new platform if we went ahead and purchased it?
If the Red Tops decide to focus on this one they will have a field day, surely.
There has to be a simple answer, if the spams are flying it and they consider it safe, can someone not have a B**ls to sign it off as safe for RAF crews to fly in, surley with rank comes responsibility, lets say if Chief of the Air Staff flies on the first 5 sorties and declares , there you go boys I'm okay, crack on (yes I know if only it was that simple but aparrently thats what the Indian Air force bosses are doing).
