Remember, the actual requirement has nothing to do with the...actual requirement (as we would expect it- we want this bit of kit because of A, B and C). The requirement from the top is as follows:
1. Nurture/protect home grown industry - AgustaWestland (as Yeovil keeps bleating on; they are the only home based UK helicopter manufacturing company thus ensuring 40,000 jobs and income thus saving the the fall of the UK and Monarchy).
2. The above factor will ensure votes in key marginals.
3. The requirement is to ensure that the vendor writes or re-writes the requirement to ensure the customer manges his expectations based on the vendor 'evaluating' the requirements.
4. The only option is the option assessment provided by the vendor (by way of a £10 million plus assessment paid to an impartial and independent assessor who has experience in building and providing helicopters to the UK MoD). Tiger, T129, Mi28, CAIC WZ-10, Harbin Z-19, Rooivalk or AH1Z Viper aren't even considered because they are all pants.
5. The product provided is based on the requirement of the vendor and this then naturally becomes the amended requirement by the customer.
Net result; the KUR is amended to fit the 'independent' assessment. Their findings are 'you need to procure an attack helicopter that has a legacy logistic template similar to current in service types and one that has a through life upgrade ability that will ensure minimal outlay compared to out-sourcing to a third party'.
What that means is 'you must buy British and you must buy whatever we negotiate with Boeing for the absolute bear minimum. If you want to upgrade or make something bespoke, you will have to pay at least three times as much. If the cabs dont work in the first place, we will be more than happy to provide you with a contract maint program for extra cost. We will sub-contract out every other aspect of the program which will ensure that the lines of communication to rectify faults will be as complex as the Apollo program'.
God forbid the MoD procurement process is moribund nay rotten.........