Jacko I'm not being obtuse. Under current plans 800NAS will be the first squadron to re-equipped with the F35 with 801 following two years later. What ever they call an IFTU these days will form earlier, so the GR9 and the F35 will be operational together for some time.
We are facing significant public spending cuts and defence is no exception. At the moment all the forces are saying "you can't touch this bit because..." the reality is if we can sell 24 a/c we don't really need right now, then I predict that will happen. Not ideal are not desireable, but we are where we are.
The Oman sale reinforces a relationship with a key ally, and what's the betting they will be flown by RAF pilots for some time.
The alternative is to flog our reduced buy of Tranche 3. I can't see why that would be preferable.