ZM,
This is not a personal attack - but I suggest you wake up and smell the roses. People can discuss as much as they want which is the most effective CAS platform, whether new aircraft should be bought, etc, but they are largely academic discussions.
We are as broke as a broke thing, and I expect SDR to cut deep into our capabilities. Cameron wants to have stopped fighting and only be mentoring in Afghanistan by 2013, Obama wants out even earlier. Introducing any new aircraft type wouldn't happen in time, and we have no money for it, even if it would prove more cost effective in the long term. Instead a scythe will be taken to the current fleets that provide the UK with CAS capability.
Actually, thinking about it again I'm talking rubbish. I have just posting on another thread that this is pprune - not the real world. So carrying on discussing ideal CAS options to your hearts content!