Kintyred, first it is easier to retain than restart after a gap. The 10 years without a maritime aircraft is a case on point. Secondly the replacement is decades away yet.
The Cold War ended a quarter century ago, who can predict what will happen, or have happened , in 25 years.
Status symbol? Germany, Spain, Italy? We remain a Global player, as is France. We have a permanent seat on the UNSC, as does France.
You might ask why we have that UNSC seat; why we are a Global Player; why we do what we do.