For those less well informed people amongst you, the following link may be of assistance.
http://www.manw.nato.int/manw/pages/...l_aviation.htm
Hopefully you will see that that the term MPA is somewhat misleading these days. For the future, MMA (Multi-Mission Aircraft) is a more appropriate term. With the many capabilities mentioned in the official site above maybe those sceptics will stop the blinkered approach and go and find out some information, if they can, before gobbing off so much. Although the MRA 4 is having some troubles and no doubt will have teething troubles when it has entered service, given time it will be a massive step forward. Maybe the fast jet lords and masters will realise the capabilities and have to fight their corner for funding on the small pointy jets.
ps There are plenty of websites giving details of the MRA 4 capabilities and potential capabilities, so no excuse for ignorance folks. The "A" in MRA isnt there for no reason.