Originally Posted by
glum
And how much has it cost us to buy, maintain and fly these air to air fighters for 50 years, to not actually shoot anything down?
Glum, surely you are not suggesting that just because these aircraft never had the opportunity to shoot down anything that we shouldn't have had them? They were kept fairly busy doing QRA against Russki aircraft during the Cold War as I remember.
Did any Chieftan tank ever fight another tank? Apart from the 'Cod War' how actively employed were the RN's ships, prior to the Falklands? Or since for that matter?
It's all about maintaining a capability, as most wars (Iraq excepted) tend to creep up on us without much warning. Even the Battle of Britain was a late spot by most strategic planners, although Dowding saw it coming, luckily for all of us. (No c**p about the RN winning that show, please!)