PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Do all RAF Aircraft fly in support of troops on the ground?
Old 11th Dec 2008, 20:05
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CirrusF
 
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Last recorded RAF air to air victory was when an RAF Phantom downed an RAF Jaguar over Germany in 1982. Prior to that, unconfirmed reports of RAF Spits downing Egyptian Air Force Spits in 1948. Already debated here:
Last RAF air to air kill? - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums

I'm not knocking RAF - just the judgement to place an emphasis with Typhoon procurement of priority of AD over GA/carrier role. AD role is only a deterrent, rather than a capability that we are ever likely to really need. On the other hand, GA/carrier versatile capability is exactly what we do and will need for the next twenty years or so.

No potential enemy is ever going to look at France and Britain and decide - ooh the Brits have got that awesome Typhoon for AD but the Frogs have only got measly Rafale - so let's attack the Frogs, as they'll be a pushover with Rafale. Rafale is, in fact, perfectly capable in AD role against any realistic potential aggressors, but more importantyly is also a much more versatile GA/carrier aircraft than Typhoon.

Last edited by CirrusF; 11th Dec 2008 at 21:15.
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