But 15 ac (or FE at R to give them the correct title) was more than the entire Harrier force structure (and I'm including crews and engineers here) was 'funded' for (and therefore capable of).
And if they could provide 15 on a permanent basis why didn't they do that in AFG where (as we keep getting told) there is never enough CAS assets available????
Up until the genius decision to remove a Harrier Squadron, coincidentally a year before SDSR, the Harrier FEaR was 18 so yes, it could have achieved this. Didn't provide more than 8 in Afghanistan as it was not requested.
Once again, while the Harrier force was in Afghanistan it was also capable of achieving other tasks such as deploying to the boat despite the popular opinion to the contrary.
I am not lobbying for the return of Harrier as that will not happen, it was just an impressive aircraft and it is a loss in capability for UK especially in this day and age where we are apparently Flexible and Agile.