Funding a larger British Phantom and Buccaneer force

Who loses funding if Britain buys its full planned Phantom and Buccaneer forces?

The Army, probably through reduced BAOR commitments or a brigade cut, while tank modernization becomes harder.

Buying the full Phantom and Buccaneer programs shifts a large share of scarce defense money toward naval and air power. The likely bill payer is the Army, especially the expensive basing and sustainment of the British Army of the Rhine. A brigade reduction is plausible, but the Army is also trying to replace Centurion and cannot indefinitely defer that modernization after the earlier 105 mm upgrade. Redirecting funds could therefore force force-structure cuts and a less satisfactory tank program. These procurement totals carry an opportunity cost that disappears when each service is considered separately.