So, um, how many teachers would this contract afford. Given priorities to match, of course.

I hope it corners better than their previous 'yank tanks' like Cadilacs!

Britain is a small country - and possibly about to get even smaller. Its population has just lived through a period of austerity while watching the richest get even richer as a direct result of government policy. As if that were not bad enough, its population is now going to have to accept that millions that could be spent helping the poorest in its society is going to be spent buying 'toys for the boys.' At the same time its politicians, whose pay is set by some committee or other, instead of being based on average earnings, are now to have a 10% pay rise thanks to the infinite wisdom of this same committee. You could not make it up. It is almost as though the recent riots did not happen. As it is, Britain's prime minister has obviously forgotten the Cold War because he suddenly thinks it is a good idea to poke Russia with a big stick. Half of Europe must be wondering how long it will take before they hear: "Gas comrade, you want gas? What gas? We need all our gas for ourselves."
Instead of buying these tanks, good as they most likely are, Britain's politicians would do well to remember the words of a previous prime minister, Winston Churchill: "To jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war." Preparing for war makes a pity not to have one in some people's minds, usually those not likely to have to fight it., such as politicians.

It look a lot like the, USMC EFV - Epeditionary Fighting Vehicle. Except without all that unnecessary floatation equipment, burdening it.

Mel Tisdale: Not preparing for war means you only have one option if your opponent is prepared, and that's surrender. Better bone up on your Russian.

Mr. Tisdale,
Could it be that there are two separate issues here? I can't comment on the first part of your statement ( Im a yank). W. Churchill was a man of many wonderful quotes, and a man of action. He saw the threat of his time for what it was. If he would have been allowed to act earlier rather than react. Do you think as much blood would have been shed? Russia is big and powerful, but I feel they would not go into a full out war if stopped early.

The EFV project was cancelled over 3 years ago. It was an entirely new design. It's mission was to transport infantry from ship to shore & beyond, It was very big due to transporting 17 passengers + crew. The flotation features were an essential part of accomplishing it's mission.
The Scout SV is a variation of the ASCOD vehicle already in use in Spain & in Austria. It's mission is, well, in the name. It's more heavily armed than the EFV would have been, although much less so than the chassis will support.
Both vehicles are, however, tracked instead of wheeled.

The contract is worth £3.5 bn which could of course pay for 70000 nurses or teachers on £50000, for a year....

This is not a tank, a tank utilizes a main gun of medium to large caliber for direct fire support and engagement of other vehicles, structures, and on occasion enemy ground troops. Rarely do tanks carry troops (though the Israelis do challenge that paradigm.) An IFV (or Infantry Fighting Vehicle) has a small to medium caliber gun and carries troops, who dismount and then are protected by their vehicle (and reciprocate in kind) fighting as a mechanized unit. An older term is also an APC (or Armored Personnel Carrier) This vehicle type may or may not have a weapon, often a small crew served weapon. Depending on the variant, this seems to be either an IFV or an APC. If equipped with its 40mm main cannon, then I'd definitely call it an IFV (a tank is a bit of a stretch.)

Great jobs for Wales & UK alone, awesome\