The threat we face these days is from Suicide bombers, hijackers, car bombers, explosive laden high speed boats, e-threats and improvised Bio and chem bombs. All of which are a deadly foe, none of which could the SHAR defend against.
That's now, we're talking about the future. Your crystal ball doesn't seem to be able to see beyond the here and now. Sorry mate but your assessment of the future is about as reliable as Norman Greenspan's is of the future economic shape of the planet.
The major concern of this thread, which is shared by the admiralty, is the interim between Harrier and F35. In sales, track records are of vital importance. Why do you dismiss the track record of the Shar through hypothesis as to it's relevance to the future. I agree with you that the Shar is long in the tooth but it's still a deterrent. Quit the histrionics and give us a straight answer please.
FEBA