It looks like we're going round in circles a bit now. We keep getting to:
Fighter (defence of the fleet) = big radar, MRAAMs, SRAAMs, Datalink, ident, etc.
Bomber (projection of power, etc) = pods, datalink, 1760, specialist self-desg weapons.
Addition of ASRAAM and HMS offers a significant self defence capability to the bomber, but doesn't do defence of the fleet. But as WEBF said earlier, better than nothing. Thinks: why do I keep hearing that phrase? Almost like we keep getting second-best!
One of the main arguments for adding ASRAAM and HMS to Jaguar was to test and develop the capability for Typhoon. I was in the meeting that took it forward. Navaleye's point about limited self-escort when fighters not available is valid. But LOAL can be very dangerous.
So, I think this is the starting point from which to answer the exam question (Post #1). Harrier was very capable, very flexible. With no capital ship, its ship-borne role had gone and it was then competing with GR4/4A (and eventually Typhoon) for work. Yes, really good at CAS (not only CAS, obviously), but GR4 seemed to cope with that and can do a lot more. Choice between the two fleets, it was pretty much bound to happen. Sad, but true.
Body armour and helmet on, awaiting incoming...