Life extension up-grades for GR4s and more

Subject: Life extension up-grades for GR4s and more 2009-09-28, 03:47

Recent announcements in the press have stated that following successful life extension work and trials on at least one GR4 by Panavia up to 40 GR4s will be refurbished to extend their operational life to 2025. This is no doubt in response to contuinued delays to getting JSF in service. However, what is not clear is where these 40 GR4s will be based - Lossie or Marham? What will happen to the base not selected? Will it be yet another closure? Will it be cost-effective to split these 40GR4s between two stations (assuming the balance of the fleet are retired)? I doubt this, but with in-depth GR4 maintenance now located in Marham (the relatively new equivalent facility in Lossie now stands empty and un-used), does this mean Marham will be the prime choice? What then happens to Lossie whilst it awaits JSF?

With the operational life of Harriers coming to an end (no doubt to be brought forward by short-sighted politicians, like the Jaguar and F3 were, without regard to the RAF's operational capability), does this mean Wittering and Cottesmore will close? If so, the RAF will be then down to a mere three fast jet frontline stations! Add this to yet further reductions in the Typhoon contract, the reduction in the previously agreed Nimrod MR4 fleet, and the disbandment of an AWACs squadron there will not be much to the RAF in the medium to long-term future. Meanwhile, the Russians have publically commited themselves to redeveloping and modernising their own air force...!