The US (and all other) models actually had a radar left in. Sure they could be wired for meteor let alone latest AMRAAM+

It's still a subsonic launch platform with no real survivability against a peer state adversary. Yes, you could make it worth with huge cash investment, or you could continue investing in current capabilities.

Couldn’t agree more - yes you could ‘bolt it on’ relatively easily, but proper integration takes a lot of time and a huge amount of cash; at the end you’d still only be left with a BVR-equipped Harrier. Better to spend the money on more F35s.

The air threat from offshore has a wee problem with a substantial population with an independent streak, good education, lots of CMS, and a bevy of MANPADS. Air assets are going to be going fishin'... brand X has a big swim to make. CAS at the beachheads will be a high risk but high reward caution to the other side, but the boat people will be also busy with ducking portable missiles and ATWs. Presumably the guys that make most of our electronics have been watching YouTube and might have some novel ideas thanks to the lessons gifted by Vlad's vacation in Eastern Europe. High value assets like battleships make great targets, as do airports etc. to have any air assets, VSTOL seems to add some options and frustrations for a relatively low overhead. Being parsimonious, the AV8 is a fair price point for a cat C stores item. Much prefer brand X working on their economy and on biohazard prevention; F-35s didn't do much against CoViD.

The AV8B+ is already a AMRAAM equipped BVR- Harrier. It’s no F35 but it would be a cheap readily available force multiplier whilst more F35s/F16s are produced to meet demand.

Nobody is disputing that. The article mentions upgrading the old USMC jets with AESA and modern weapons. It would be a huge expense for a modest increase in capability. This is for a China vs Taiwan scenario - 50 Harriers won't make a difference (and that's once you've thrown good money at buying, upgrading and training your Air Force to operate a capability that's brand new to them). It's a complete red herring IMO.

If China prosecutes the first few hours of a conflict in a way that resembles the way the west would, Taiwan won’t have the runways to operate from. That’s where the value of the Harriers comes into play.

where is that like button?

:ok:

It doesn't seem to matter that the AV8 may not be effective against PRC CAP, they will have their hands full dodging MANPADS and similar. What is valuable is the opportunity to go and do some CAS from FOBs that are essentially unprepared. The distribution of the air assets allows them to last long enough to be an impediment to the beach heads. There is possibly more value in buying gallons of DJI drones, or amping up drone production in Taiwan, Alibaba's orderbooks are probably going to be full or limited to rogue regions, and more MANPADS than PRC has air assets.

How many F-35's will the RAF/RN have with full complement?

Far more capable than the Harrier....but then don't sheer numbers matter when it comes to all out War?

Plus you can buy 12 harriers+ for 1 f35. and afford combat losses. as long as the pilot can punch out, and fight another day. There's more harriers to take their place. (the RAFs loss is there gain)

But, can you afford to find and train 11 extra pilots?

https://www.defensenews.com/congress...tary-aid-bill/

sure something could be arranged.

I agree. Look at the way the US Marines employ the Harrier, almost exclusively as a CAS asset.

CAS shoot and scoot tactics would be basically the maverick and rockets in a real war, maverick 2 max 4 load out. we could offer brimstone integration and make it into a 600kt Apache.

just think..
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....0d50bcc736.png
Quantity does have a quality of its own.

not much quantity or quality within those gun pods!

Taiwan is also mostly mountains, the furthest distance from the coastline to the mountains is about 30km. Plenty of scope for hiding from radar until you are close to a firing position, landing craft wouldn't fare well against Brimstone II if they were ever integrated.

Much as I enjoy nostalgia, if anyone thinks 50, or even 100 Harriers will make a difference to Taiwan in the event of a conflict with China... I suggest you haven't been paying attention.

I duno i saw all the airfields hit and attempt to destroy all the planes.
and the handful of western picked aircraft have kept them in the fight re CAS, su25- hinds.etc
sure NLAWs and Javs were a bigger part.