Some of us had these sort of suspicions when Joint Force 2000 (as it was back then) was announced - I felt concerned that a) the FAA would be taken over by the RAF and b) the needs of the RN for things like air defence and anti shipping strike would be forgotten about.
The loss of a third of CVS capable aircraft (ignoring helicopters) represented by the
loss of the Sea Harrier MUST have had an effect on manning. Certainly I remember reading
Navy News in the mid 90s when it stated the RN had about fifty Sea Harrier pilots (possibly including ones on other duties) so my question is what went wrong, and when? Failure to recruit? Failure to retain?
A few years ago it was reported/alleged that a third of Sea Harrier pilots had threatened to PVR over the move to Cott/Mitt. With the loss of the fighter role as well, how many did go outside? Does anyone have any statistics?
Perhaps that is all part of the plan.
Anyway, I draw your attention back to the issue of MASC with
this posting "over there".