My post #1198: Stop stuffing around - get P-8.
Guys, honestly, I don't want to teach you to suck eggs, but...
What was your most recent successful acquisition? C-17 ?
Or was it perhaps AEW.3, MRA.4... maybe (shudder) TSR2 ?
Look, if there really is a UK MPA/MMA requirement, then buy MOTS.
We have done that here in Oz, and that has been successful with C-17 and F/A-18F, and we have ordered P-8 similarly.
Your Allies/coalition partners will be operating P-8.
The P-1 may be a capable maritime platform (it might have big windows, and a Tepanyaki galley !!), but look around the acquisition costs to through-life-support, and whether the Japanese will support...this is the key. When was the last time Japanese exported military aircraft (apart from to Malaya, Singapore, New Guinea in 1941-42). OK, tongue-in-cheek, but there is no track record here. And as for RR engines, or other local mods, OMG!! Don't fcuk with it.
Was C-17 procurement successful? OK, then look at P-8, and those who know me, know that I am not a paid advertisement for Boeing !
Last edited by BBadanov; 24th Jul 2015 at 09:07.