Talks of the Tornado being grounded...

[Rich H]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100730/tuk ... dbed5.html
Looks like the MoD have the choice of axeing the Tornado GR4s, or the Harrier GR9s; making way for some cuts to the budget deficit.
I guess, between the two aircraft, it's probably the right decision? Without the Harriers, the RN will have little force out at sea; and what with the new aircraft carriers under way, it makes sense to have something on board them, especially if the JSF is further delayed.

[machineman9]

GR4 was one of the reasons I'm trying to join as fast jet pilot.

Sad day indeed. 

[HawkSpeedSix]

Tough one.

A few months ago the Harrier looked very vulnerable, however with the SDSR in progress it seems the fact the the RN's new carriers are mostly paid for and in production may work in their favour. With talk of potential "off the shelf" replacement by the F-18E/F instead of the F-35B, the GR4 becomes very vulnerable, with the Typhoon fulfilling the air defence role and a limited air to ground capability, and an "expeditionary" capability with the F-18, be it land or sea based, as the USN/USMC do and have done in Iraq and Afghanistan.

From a logical perspective, it gets my vote. Far, far cheaper too. It may mean we aren't at the forefront of any air war such as seen in GW1 & 2, but these days we have to live within our means.