It is true that the J can drop Para's from the side doors but there are restrictions. Due to the weaker static line, the troops themselves cannot weigh more than 200 lbs and because of the side guidance rails that cant be removes without taking the seats up, which the para's sit on, they can't be higher than 6'3".
I know that they can do natural surface strips cos they were at Deptford Down about a week ago.
As for the 3A, they are to augment the mini fleet. The flight won't take a decrease in capability which they would have to do if they took the J. Therefore they upgraded more of the K's to a woppingly astonishing spec which for a wee while will actually be more capable than the Mk 1's.
Me thinks Stopstart is a tiny bit bitter that all the money that was pushing North side last year is now well and truly on the South side. The rosy future of the J doesn't look quite so rosy any more.
More rumours please!!