RAF to reduce to 9 front line fast jet squadrons?
Hidden away in the depths of the Joint Combat Aircraft Basing Working study (JSF to Lossiemouth) by Group Captain Strategic Plans is an intriguing statement on the Tornado GR4 replacement, now known as the Future Combat Air Capability (FCAC).
This, it reveals, if the JSF is chosen, is to be 2 squadrons with a unit establishment of 8 a/c a piece plus an addition of 6 a/c to the JSF OCU. This to replace a current capability of 7 squadrons with a unit establishment of 13.
Add this to the rumoured 5 squadrons of Typhoons will leave the RAF with a front line of 9 fast jet squadrons, NINE!
( 5 Typhoon, 2 JSF and another 2 JSF as the fast jet element of the FCAC, plus the 2 RN JSF squadrons, that is if they can find any aircrew for them)
No wonder they only need 28 Hawk 128.