leaving the fleet without an air arm is a bad decision, but when u sit down and think of it, the difference isnt that great IMHO.

looking around the world today, who are the RN going to fight? and for what?

– the spanish and argintinians have territorial disputes with the UK, but neitehr is likely to fight a war with england to get what they want.

– the UK is a net exporter of oil, so it doesnt have to worry about its oil lines being cut off as much as the US, and even if someone does disrupt oil coming out of the ME, the USN will be the first to have a go at however is responsible so there is no need for the RN to get involved.

– same goes for world shipping.

the only real opponents the RN might have to deal with are the odd pirates, drug runners and illegal imigrents trying to paddle to the UK on life-rafts. what are the RN going to need their seaharriers for?

i know the argument about being safe and not sorry and all that, but if the UK really does get in a difficult position with an opponent with a good navy and airforce, what good are those few harriers going to be anyways? most modern fighters could out-range them in BVR and out-turn then at WVR not to mention being lightyears faster. if the RN is to face an opponent that can get throw the airdefence ships (or whats left of them), then a few harriers will not make a whole lot of difference.