Hang on a minute, some of those nations have a very limited, somewhat loosely termed MPA capability. We could, post SDSR fly half a dozen islanders fitted with EO and a half decent off the shelf radar and call it an "MPA", We know it would be BS but no worse than some just mentioned!
The roles that we do that aren't spoke about much, who's doing them just now? and thats exactly my point.
many of the roles are being carried out by other platforms quite happily and some others are being taken on risk, the government and the Head honcho's at MOD might just decide to carry on taking it on risk.
When was the last time an MRA 4 got airborne ? somebody on here must know, whats the big secret? I know it's embarrasing but really where is the project just now? the silence is deafening!