Sas-
For someone apparently so up to date you display a lack of knowledge. There is a replacement planned for the CVS, it's a programme called CVF. It is planned and it
may come equipped with JSF, assuming JSF ever comes. As for fewer personnel equalling less capability, again you are wrong. The current GR4 and GR9 have more capability than the preceeding fleets of larger (more numbers) aircraft. If HMT ever invest in the full Tranche 3 Typhoon again bang for buck will be enhanced even further. With each generation of new aircraft you need fewer numbers to provide the same or better capability. Look at the number of F22s the USAF are getting. Furthermore precision is the way ahead, LH said that the RAF only dropped 6% of the bombs but they all hit their targets then you are saving the taxpayers hard earned cash.
Until CVF comes we have to work with what we have got - simple concept really. For that reason the Harrier is deployed to Afghanistan, as you said there is nothing else available and something is better than nothing. As for the AT fleet, you are right it is a small fleet, but it is big enough to support the small limited, army deployments that our President sends us on. We could obviously do with more C17s, but then who couldn't? Even the USAF want more and they have some 150 of the things!!! Our current op tempo may be using up the fatigue life so fast that they won't reach their planned OSDs, but then President-in-Waiting Broon won't have to worry about replacing them early! Will he?
