Jackonicko,
I agree with most of your comments above, especially about proper smart procurement (unfortunately I don't expect the politicos to give us any decent kit unless British Wasteofspace or Wastelands have a complete aberation and actually get it right for once) but there are a couple of areas that I'd query (it's OK that's allowed today and tomorrow this government will make it compulsory anyway).
The scale of the forces vice the commitments issue is the first. The idea of SDR was supposedly a foreign policy led attempt to match our capabilities and our commitments. However, it appears to me that despite all the good words it was take with one hand and slap around the ear with the other. If the Government were serious they would have to either increase the size of the forces or reduce the amount of time away for the frontline (and the supporting assets)in order to reduce the feeling of overstretch - which, in my experience, most guys feel is currently the worst factor of service life today.
Secondly, in this terribly uncertain world I still feel that we DO need a nuke deterrent like Trident to prevent some tin-pot dictator or terror group from doing a number on us. Before anyone condems this as a hysterical reaction read the reports of the various UN arms inspectors (particularly Richard Butler) and see how many scary nations are close to having their own nuke and (more frighteningly) viral weapons programmes. Add to this mix a few slack handfuls of religious or political extremism and I would suggest that having our own deterent now (and especially in about 5 - 10 years time) is a must.
As for the Jaguar idea - I agree that it would be better than nothing but a real starting point would be to get the GR1 / GR4 fleet sorted out in respect of servicability and numbers (it has the edge over the Jaguar in terms of range, weaponry and flexibility due to the 2 crew - anyone see the problems that the Harriers had flying single seat night designation in Kos?). This is not to decry either the Harrier or Jag forces, but in the current operating environment I believe that the Tornado's strengths are what is needed.
Like the idea about fitting out the F3 with a SEAD role - anyone out there got any hard gen on the chances/tech difficulties involved?
Sorry to bang on so long, really do agree with most of your posts!