I would expect that a certain minimum number of MRA4s would be earmarked to stay in the UK for specific roles, e.g 24 SAR cover (probably at least 2 required), etc. In this case only having a fleet of 9 to start with (with one or two no doubt always in deep maintenance at any one time) probably leaves you with very few able to deploy at any time for overseas "influence gaining" purposes
That's the same for any fleet.
Look at the numbers of Reaper, Sentinel and R1 we currently have deployed and then consider the disproportionate influence they provide today. Likewise, RAF E-3Ds provided a third of AWACS cover during Afghanistan (01-03) for 18 months with only 2 jets deployed at any one time.
ISR assets like those mentioned above, no matter how small the numerical contribution is on paper, gains us significant 'favours' within a Coalition. At a time when the USN P-3C fleet is hurting and the P-8A Project is starting to make BP Corporate Comms Strategy look professional, 2 or 3 MRA4 deployed judiciously will do likewise.
Regards,
MM