Originally Posted by
ORAC
If you are using them as UK based QRA they are more than up to the task.
ORAC, I'm sure you are right for now and the foreseable future but with a Typhoon OSD of 2040 (and probably later) how long will it be justifiable to maintain them for that single role. Also will they still be capable against potential LO and/or autonomous UAV intruders possibly even from a non-state adversary? I grant the possibilty of hostile acts against the mainland UK is vanishingly small. However, I think in 1985 nearly all of us saw the Cold War continuing
ad infinitum; the world can change rapidly in unexpected ways.
Having a tiny fleet within, what historically is already a small fleet, presumably with dedicated pilots and maintainers, surely limits who and what can be deployed elsewhere if the need arises with the problems that brings.
I clearly have too much time to think wild thoughts at the moment.
SOX80, I should obviously remember: "The best, particularly in the business of defence, is so often the enemy of the good."