Originally Posted by
Finningley Boy
They may make the case for all 138 to be B, but surely no more than 48 or 60 maximum would be justifiable. I'm sure the Navy would like to overtake the RAF's principal role, but if the RAF is going to be a truly expeditionary force then it is better off have the A variant. The RN I'm sure would try and thwart such a balance.
FB
If the RAF is to be expeditionary, then it might help to actually procure teh A4/A6 “stuff” to make it expeditionary.
And then reset the culture such as “OOADs”/“deployments” are routine and positive, not something to be whinged about - as many do on here.
Then you can work on supporting the RAF ISR community - in particular the PED - to get best value from the stuff we have.
And then sort out the flying training pipeline.
Then, perhaps, you might be in the market for new jets.