MAINJAFAD
I beg to differ slightly. Having experience on Lightning, F4 and F15, the F15 in the mid-eighties was streets and away ahead of both as an ADV fighter and more importantly an air superiority fighter. I flew F15 A, B and D, but the MSIP model was already out there. The F15 was even then far superior to the the underpowered Tomcat, could beat the F16 which always flew light and without BVR weapons. The F15 was also pretty much a match for the early F18s which bled energy much more quickly in a turning fight..
Of course the F15 was more expensive, my point was that if we had bought it or any other of the US options our military aviation industry would have crumbled, but we would have had more capability. Politicians and economists choose the final answer. In any case I don't knock the Tornado F3 (see my previous post).
I also do not dispute your opinion on GEC v Ferranti, good ex-Ferranti people worked on the AI24 later and made some great improvements.