Jimlad,
The Jag force is cheaper to run (for three 13 aircraft squadrons) than the SHAR force (two seven aircraft squadrons), entirely excluding the huge cost of running the carriers and their hangers on. The Jaguar provides a broader range of capabilities. The capabilities it provides are the capabilities actually needed in the post Cold War environment, and that have been used AGAIN AND AGAIN during recent years.
Its replacement may or may not be imminent. Service entry next month, as originally scheduled, cannot happen. Certainly in the air-to-ground role, many believe that JSF could be in service before EF has a full spectrum of A-G capabilities.
The only alternative (if one had to withdraw an entire type) to removing the SHar would be the F3, and doing without UK AD for five years would be politically unacceptable.
Noz
My understanding is that the Jaguar's EW kit is being addressed in just the same way as its other capability gaps were, so we can expect a cost-effective and enviable solution fairly quickly, perhaps?
My understanding on F3 is that limitations should not be there and could be addressed very quickly and with a relatively small cash injection. It is however not fulfilling its potential at the moment but could be a useful asset. Perhaps they'll use the SHar savings to make it one?