I had a peek at the 2007-2008 edition of
Jane's Fighting Ships today. It says that the Indian Navy is looking to upgrade the Sea Harrier FRS51 (new avionics etc) to last
until 2020. It also notes that the proposed purchase of up to eight ex RN FA2s is off the cards.
No mention is made of the RNSFDO Sea Harriers. It wasn't last year either, although the mighty
Bristol still gets a passing mention in the Destroyers section, despite being decommissioned since 1991/92(?), being moored permanently at Whale Island and being not very seaworthy. She is described as an "immobile tender".
Also,
Invincible is still listed under the Carriers section, along with her sister CVSs, despite having been decommissioned.
Janes reckon it would take up to 18 months to return her to the front line, although things can be done faster during a crisis. From her
web page:
After 3 commissions Invincible was decommissioned from her third in August 2005, as her period of operational tasking ended. This is part of a long-standing plan that will see the oldest CVS held at a low level of readiness. This process is often mistaken for being withdrawn from service but we are still very much "part of the fleet". In fact Invincible will remain available to the Navy until 2010.
Not in service but still owned by the MOD? Not totally dissimilar to the situation with the RNSFDO aircraft!! If nothing else it is better than a scrap yard.
tyne - that video clip was from local news last Thursday (2nd August 07).