shiko,
Scrapping GR9 and making the Pilots redundant would represent the best fast jet pilots of the last 10 years gone in a one'r.
That was actually my point. A purely pragmatic option would be to put all the Harrier pilots in GR4 front seats (on the basis that they were generally the best pilots through the trg system and have
mostly got Op experience) and divert pilots graduating from Valley with anything less than flying colours elsewhere (multis, RW or perhaps even the GR4 back seat?!). The time for "considering the feelings" of those in the trg system is rapidly disappearing...
However, I suspect that many GR9 pilots will not be able to bear the indignity of "stepping down" to the 2-seat swing-wing former nuclear bomber and will try to go ATPL- or deployment-hunting in the ME or RW worlds...