Brit, you're stating the obvious - that's what I already said - the Tornado F3 was designed as a long range interceptor, but by the time it became fully operational, we didn't actually require any long range interceptors any longer.
It's a slightly specious argument to rate the F3 as being a great aircraft simply on account of the weapons it can now carry. Likewise, the same argument applies to the Nimrod R1 mentioned in later threads. Naturally, you can hang "intelligent" missiles under any aircraft, and you can cram Elint gear into any airframe, and the results will be just the same, so the carrier aircraft's attributes become largely irrelevant.
This is where we get back to the dark rumors of MoD interst in eventually buying A340's; you can see the logic though, as you can equip the airframe for just about any role you like (other than tactical transporter) - interceptor, bomber, tanker, Elint, reconnaissance...
It hints at a rather boring future which could ultimately see the RAF equipped with 3/4-jet widebody multi-role aircraft and a fleet of UAV's - and very little else. Think I'll take up train spotting!