It is probably way too late now but I have thought for a while there is a place for the Gripen (or similar) in the RAF (and RN) inventory.
Numbers are ever decreasing and a high end mix of Typhoon/F-35 force is making the problem worse. we seem locked into the we can't afford many so it had better be capable - oh there are very expensive, we can't afford many loop.
Running a force of Gripens as well as being a much cheaper alternative to Typhoon/F-35 for many less demanding tasks could also free up say the Typhoon force for more deployments by taking over UK QRA if needed.
From what I have read about the Gripen lite proposal to replace the T-38 for the USAF there is a train of thought of a first tour on a Gripen would be much more economic while the driver learns his trade.
How much do you save by getting Hawk T2 instead?