Eight Typhoons en-route to SE Asia
 

RAF sends fighter jets to South Korea | News | The Times & The Sunday Times

Given their other commitments, am somewhat surprised at this. A well-earned change of scene or something the crews (air & ground) could well do without?

This will bring back memories to Fareastdriver.

But he & I were only involved in tanking Javelins to Singapore & back.

Just wait for the Government to announce they can't afford to bring the planes back and it was actually a secret sales promotion to sell them to Malaysia....

According to the Daily Express in an article about the tour of the Reds to the Middle and Far East here: Brexit Britain spearheaded by the Red Arrows, air shows will promote the UK outside EU | UK | News | Daily Express
the RAF Typhoon jets will display their capabilities in Exercise Eastern Vortex in South Korea.

When we went on det to Butterworth with V Sqn F3s, the amount of hangers-on was simply silly; many of them had nothing to do with the aircraft. I imagine it will be the same this time, at taxpayers' expense, of course.

Whilst nobody could argue that the RAF's frontline squadrons are not greatly reduced these days, 8 Typhoons deploying for an exercise is nowhere near 'half its combat Squadrons'! Half of one squadron maybe...

-RP ;)

How many Air Forces are able to routinely deploy out of area, while simaltaneously runnning operations in two or three different areas elsewhere with their FJ force? Not many!

To answer the op's question, yes a well-earned change of scene. But that phrase sort of implies our armed forces are run for the amusement of those serving. Even if it's not so regarded, showing our ability to deploy around the world wherever suits our interests is surely no bad thing?

Yup - I'm sure the PLAAF will be really worried that we can send 8 aircraft (anyone want to run a sweep and how many break down on the way?) to the Far East......

I really don't understand this - we walked away from the area 40 years back and there is no way we can go back - and we're not even trying to sell them Typhoon's..........

It's not an invasion of the PRC, HH its just about showing face. Likewise, the thousand or so UK troops in Poland wouldn't single-handedly stop a Russian invasion but that doesn't make their presence there irrelevant.

Can we really? :(

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/w...e-bersatu-padu

UKMAMS Old Bods Association - Bersatu Padu

Re my post of Jan 31st, in "Should we have an RAF?"

Well the Japanese ASDF and public seem to be keen on this RAF Typhoon visit.
Video will probably self-destruct fairly soon...


Japan plans ASDF drill with UK's Royal Air Force - News - NHK WORLD - English


Japan's Air Self-Defense Force is due to take part in a drill with Britain's Royal Air Force in a move aimed at boosting cooperation between the two countries in East Asia.

Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon met in Tokyo early this month. They agreed the Royal Air Force's Eurofighter Typhoon unit will head to Japan this year for the first time.

Japan's Defense Ministry is making arrangements for the joint exercise to take place in the fall.

A ministry official said the countries share the same values, so boosting Britain's presence in the region will put pressure on China. Beijing has been expanding its maritime activities.

Time to reinstate FEAF? ;)

Flag-waving is one thing, but a 'force in being' is a different subject.

"its just about showing face."

I don't think sending eight aircraft is showing face - more like reminding everyone about just how few aircraft we have these days....................

Let's not lose sight of the fact that they are going out there for an exercise. How many aircraft would we deploy for Red Flag? Or Maple Flag? Or the bi-annual exercise in India (can't remember the name)?

If/when the JASDF return the compliment would you expect to see 30-40 Japanese jets at Coningsby or Lossiemouth?

seems a bit unecessary TBH............

Boosting Britains presence in the region, what when we cannot afford the NHS , are about to start stealing money from poor pensioners through more bedroom taxes cannot afford to maintain our roads to even the lowest standards but we can 'show the Flag in Japan. Talk about delusional

Do we still have any air defence while they are gone?

I still have a shotgun ... Oh, wait, I sold that. :(

One would suspect that there'll be an answer to that very question landing on cousin Vlad's desk within a couple of hours of their confirmed departure.

JAS

When we can't pay for things, it's time to polish our shoes, put on our best coat and hat and go sell whatever we can. I'm sure we want the Japanese to buy Meteor for example.