JAJ,
I have to respond here. Without 'over selling' either aircraft, the facts are that at the time JFH was stood up, these two aircraft could be summarised thus:
GR7 - An extremely effective CAS and strike aircraft with some unique combat attributes, e.g. Maverick and night ops. Also well suited to expeditionary ops from short/high runways. Completely suitable for a wide range of planned missions. A very good compromise, with quite outstanding crew and support.
FA2 - The UK's most lethal air superiority platform due to its Blue Vixen/AIM-120 integration. (Also very good AIM-9 integration, by the way, and guns if required, plus a good, if old, camera). Was about to get a JTIDS upgrade that would have given it the sort of boost later enjoyed by the F3. A very, very good ballistic bomber and capable of delivering LGBs to remote designation. Hampered by bring back issues only in the most demanding environments. A decent compromise, but at its limits. Again, outstanding crew and support.
But their key attribute was the ability, as required by the SDR of 1998, to deliver these capabilities from the sea, so avoiding reliance on unavailable or distant HNS facilities. They were the ONLY aircraft capable of doing that. In that respect, they were the ONLY aircraft 'suited to the job'.
It all depends, as ever, on what people think 'the job' is. JFH was stood up, declared and capable of doing 'the job' required of it by the Government, PJHQ and Strike. Best not to forget that. As ever, happy for others to disagree.
Best regards as ever
Engines