RJ - Fine tradition of RAF maritime patrol aircraft dropping bombs on recalcitant persons of a colonial disposition...
Seriously, suspect that 'bombing capability' = ability to launch Storm Shadow. The idea's been bandied around enough in certain publications for the DT's splendidly informed Defence team to have picked it up and reinterpreted it as turning the Nimrod into a bomber.
Also, wouldn't there be major financial problems just cancelling tranches? Perhaps not if the four partners agreed, but unilateral tranche chopping would be very costly indeed.
Still, if there's a shred of truth somewhere in the report, perhaps F-15Es might be in Santa's sack?
