TD, it is my understanding that Mode S is not going to be fitted to the Nimrod, certainly not by Mar 2008. I also understand that failure to comply with the Mar 2008 deadline would require the Nimrod to take an enormous dogleg to avoid European overland. To get around this problem, I expect an engineering det to be set up at Akrotiri. It would appear that the MoD will do anything to avoid spending any money on this aircraft.