down time is a maintenance issue. I was on the leopards when they were brand new, and they pretty much always worked. As they got older, parts started going...and as we had the "high time‘ tanks in the Leopard fleet, we seemed to often be the guinea pigs...I remember when the torsion bars finally died- seemed like they lasted so many years, then the whole Sqn let go within a few months of each other. Tough to find replacements.
One of the things we as a military do is try to go cheap- we buy the minimum amount of spare parts, and never upgrade...the Sea king is a perfect example- Canadian Helicopters still fly them, and make money...they‘re safe and efficient-and have been upgraded continually- same for the marine corps- see what they use to fly the President?
Were doing it now with every aircraft in the Forces, including our new EH101.
Seems we just dont learn.