I admit to not reading the bulk of the long thread - apologies. But have an opinion based on what I have read.
The old airframes that were to be re-used are from a time when they are basically all unique. So refitting them has been a problem.... how do you manufacture new wings for a batch of planes when they are all slightly differently? Answer - by making bespoke components.
These planes are really old in design terms - need a spare part then it has to be made. And therefore all the personnel needed to maintain them (nine planes) need to be kept on and paid... all expense.
The planes are not spy planes either. They are maritime patrol planes with sub-hunting abilities except:
- We have other means of spotting the subs
- The 'spy plane' bit probably comes from the MRA2's relaying comms for special forces in Afghanistan... which could be done by a drone. And the real Nimrod spy planes are the R2s anyway and they are not part of this discussion.
These were old planes being refitted and there have been delays. Had these entered service 10 years ago then they would be expensive for what they are. The real expense being long term support.
Even if we had continued as a country.... call it £4bn and 10 planes. So £400mn each. Without support costs going forward. The better Boeing P8 is far cheaper.
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