The problem is the lack of a market for outsize airlift – until the end of the cold war, most nations with sufficient budget were focussed on a static war scenario. The UK and France both had a semi-expeditionary requirement, but that wouldn’t have resulted in more than a few dozen airframes. For the US, it was worthwhile, since they needed to be able to fly troops and equipment around the globe, and needed a few hundred aircraft, but they would only ever have bought an American type. If memory serves, the RAF actually wanted to get C-5 Galaxies back in the ’70s, but for budgetary reasons, this was vetoed.
The principle problem at the moment is the defence budget meltdown in the UK – the budget hasn’t increased in real terms since the ’90s, despite the wartime operational tempo. Gordon Brown has basically decided that he wants the military to be run into the ground, hence every operation has to be ‘zero cost’. Look at ops in Afghanistan, where they were going to have to withdraw even the tiny detachment of 6 Harriers to save money, just as the current ops started! It was only when the press got wind of this that they agreed to allow them to stay – but again, this meant cutting money from elsewhere in the budget. More C-130s and C-17s are needed, more armoured vehicles are needed, more troops, etc etc… Sadly, until the military actually get funded, then nothing will happen. 🙁
Sign In
