Originally Posted by
frodo_monkey
I know not, but I strongly suspect binned - a good thing.
I strongly suspect you're right.
But why a good thing?
Two squadron's worth of Tranche 1s surely gives the RAF a worthwhile mini-fleet for the Falklands, for QRA, for adversary use, etc.? Keeping hours off the Tranche 2/3 aircraft.
Or, given a cheap Spanish-style upgrade you could remove obsolescence, provide software commonality, and make them compatible with Meteor, Storm Shadow and AESA.
It also avoids the bad optics of:
a) the RAF throwing away perfectly good airframes with plenty of hours left on them
b) an inevitable reduction in FJ force strength by at least two squadrons.
What's not to like?
What am I missing?
With the Spanish upgrade, RAF Tranche 1 jets could have done this:
