I have heard that radar service is not too bad in the South, but patchy in the North. Comms also patchy, confirmed by the utter silence that met the MAYDAY call the other week. In this kind of environment it is absolutely essential to have TCAS more so than in the London TMA. Multi engine, mil aircraft operating lights out procedures with no way of coordinating avoiding action using mode "S" and TCAS/ACAS is a situation that is asking for trouble. A couple of crew members eyes glued to the skies through their gogs, trying to keep the Mighty Hunter safe over the skies of Afg?
On 31 Mar next year the state exemption runs out. Nimrods wil be flying out over International airspace West of Ireland, West of Iberia and down through the Med and on to Akr all for a bit of common sense.
But remember the mantra, "safety of our personnel is paramount." I expect the hacks will hear that line spoken a few times next week.