Biggus - your understanding of the RN's role is about a decade out of date. I trust you have not had time to read about British Defence Policy of late because you have had your head stuck in your aircrafts TACMAN and your FRC's lately.
When I first saw this post I thought "Wow people are making a stand against the appaling decision". However as usual it has developed into nothing more than an RN v RAF slanging match.
So perhaps its time to state some objective facts:
1. FA2 = best AD aircraft in UK inventory.
2. F3 = Red Air Mig 23 simulator for rest of NATO (takes two to fly it versus the former Warsaw pacts one).
3. No ASW threat to UK waters. Those who know anything about ASW will tell you anout 75% of submarine detections are made visually, by lookouts on ships or by helo crews. I cant remember one exercise where any MPA has made the initial detection. And the best thing to counter a submarine is another submarine. The RN has some quite good ones, and the best submariners in the world inside them.
4. Nimrod is a good ASuW assett. Its speed, loiter time, radar and comms fit is excellent for this role. Lets keep some for this job. But not spend £100 million per aircraft on the off chance of getting a detection when someone looks out of the galley window.
5. If we want to talk about efficiencies (those who sing this as the Jaguars strength) lets look at the big picture. The RAF has 3 aircraft types doing the same role. I dont even think the USAF has this luxury! Multi role is the only way to go.
6. All this is pointless anyway - the ministers will never go back on their decision. Those who stay better start keeping their fingers crossed and looking for lucky charms. Because if I worked in long term plans in Argentine military I would be looking at what I might be capable of doing in about 2007/8. Gives me a nice run in to train and procure.... Those who dont stay, see you in the airlines.