I wonder if it could be re-engined by RR? Tay 611-8C - I don't know but its at least the same power and a long proven design.
Yep, that's the way it starts when UK industry sidles up to the Cabinet.
So we haggle for offsets and changes the engines for RR, and BWoS get to replace/augment the mission systems, and we change the avionics; then Marshalls get the maintenance contract - then, of course, Qinetiq get involved because it has to be completely re certified. And all for a total fleet of 6-8 or, if we are exceptionally lucky, 12 airframes. I mean, really?
And "suddenly" (sic) the purchase price has doubled, it's 5-10 years late getting into service and all upgrades/repairs are proprietary and cost an arm and a leg - the proverbial £1m toilet seat.
Buy the P-8 if we need it and stop pandering to the leeches waiting to suck the life out of the whole thing the way they did with the AEW-3 and MRA-4.....