^^
assuming this is all accurate, it (at last!) provides at least a sensible frame of reference for discussing the UK case.
with the first aircraft deliveries in 2017 also
Leaving aside any thoughts of slippage, a country which has an MPA fleet/capability/infrastructure, and which has (presumably) put pen to paper at all levels, expects to get his beast into service in 2017 (about 3 years)
How long then for a country which does not an MPA fleet/capability/infrastructure and which has not put pen to paper at any level.
Five years sound reasonable? Or unduly optimistic?
So we take the decision next week (f**k knows how that would happen) we get it into service about 2019.
We take the decision back end of 2015 (best hope I guess) we get it into service 2020.
Does that seem reasonable, or is someone going to explain how we are going to magic this thing into service by 2016?