tuc:-
In June 1987 AMSO developed a policy that consciously wasted astronomical sums of money; especially on avionics. Having scrapped well over £100M (one hundred million) worth of equipment (and that's just in the section I worked in), the SAME DAY it raised requisitions to replace the kit, because of course the "computer" promptly showed a shortage and contractors were screaming that we were in contractual default. Where did this money come from? It wasn't in the budget, because it had already been provided and spent. The incumbent (an ACM) left post in late 1987, and his successor developed a cunning plan over the next 3 years. In 1990 there commenced an arbitrary 25% per year cut in support, with the vital PDS activity Engines mentions (hitherto, ring-fenced) taking 3 consecutive 28% cuts. Director of Flight Safety highlighted the 1992 cut as one reason why Chinook, Puma and Wessex were not airworthy. This effectively stopped most of the work Engines mentions, and in January 1993 AMSO issued an edict that "all safety related work must cease".
Or in other words, it was Mr Machiavelli wot dunnit! The cover up ever since by the RAF Star Chamber has been the real cause of the continuing endemic damage to UK military airworthiness, that has stripped this nation of its Maritime Air capability, of its Air Cadet gliders, and the spread of uncharted but extensive unairworthiness within its military airfleets, not to mention the considerable blood and treasure expended already. It has to stop, Sirs!