Why? With 6-8 jets, either land based or carrier based, we are only ever going to be part of a coalition. We could not achieve anything on our own. If a coalition of the "willing" is formed, and UK wish to participate, we will only be able to offer what we have right now. Which is not much. Why? Because we are broke after 10+ years of mismanagement, putting heads in the sand, procurement cock up after procurement cock up and, sadly, a military that makes do!
In some sad way there is probably a huge sigh of relief in some corridors in Whitehall that, because of the SDSR, we cannot get involved in any more open ended interventions.
The Why depends completely on whether you perceive there to be any national or strategic interests in that part of the World - and I suspect the answer on both counts is likely Yes. Agreed that, even if the number were greater than 6-8 jets, we would not conisder any unilateral intervention. The what
we have right now comment is my point exactly - there's little or nothing left to contribute, certainly not from an Airpower perspective anyway and I doubt there's much Strat or battlefield lift or even shipborne support either.
I just find it difficult to comprehend how successive UK Governments can obliterate the Armed Forces in the way they have done in the last 20 years, yet still expect to be taken seriously as they strut their stuff with World leaders!
Maybe it's just me?