Surely the weakest link is tanker support. Typhoon is going to happen. Invest in some seriously good long range tankers and the two combined are going to be able to defend likely British interests quite well.
Full on US style CBGs are the answer to all questions - but - we can't afford them. In many ways its a shame that Europe spends about half what the US does on its military only to achieve about 10% of the capability. Not that a combined EU military would ever ever work but a shame nonetheless.
That said, the RAF needs to make itself more relevant to the next 30 years. Tankers, heavy AT, recon and close air support seem critical. Its a shambles that Typhoon *still* isn't a reality given the initial timeframe.
WWW
ps feel free to lambast someone who knows very little about what he posts - it might well be illuminating!
