Back onto point - there is no need for all 8 aircraft to be able to fly from day 1, with full crews. I suspect an IOC with 3 aircraft and 3 or 4 crews might be achievable in a couple of years, working up to FOC within a decade. That is enough time to open up the manning pipeline. Add in some innovative solutions (cross train RN Surface and SM ratings and Officers to man the wet, dry and WSO posts - some would stay, some would go back to surface/SM ASW after 1 tour) and I think we could do it.
However, if parochialism (by any party) gets in the way, we might as well all go home now.