Britain does not have enough Tornado to carry out bombing missions against the Islamic State in Syria.
London, for an effective air campaign, should send a force of at least 24 to the Region Tornado, but according to sources close to the RAF, his Majesty's government could not deploy more than four. The latter would join the other eight already operating from the base Akrotiri, in Cyprus. David Cameron, informed of the availability of the RAF aircraft, would have been somewhat disappointed with the current capacity of British aviation.
Downing Street has not officially commented on the story Tornado. A press release is expected shortly. It is clear that the British fleet in Syria, composed only of 12 aircraft, could only make a marginal contribution to the war against the Islamic State.
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The numerical strength of the Royal Air Force will touch the historical minimum within the next two years since it was established in the 1918. The situation is so serious that the British government is considering the possibility of keeping the very first in service Eurofighter Typhoon.
Our decision to withdraw 53 Typhoon 'Tranche -1' within the 2018 - said the 3 last November the Undersecretary of State for Defense, Philip Dunne, speaking in the House of Commons - it should also be reviewed in close proximity to the next Strategic Defense and Security Review.
"The Ministry of Defense is examining the potential usefulness of all its current platforms including its fleet of Typhoon. If necessary, we will have to extend the life of existing platforms. It is therefore not appropriate to anticipate decisions on Typhoon 'Tranche-1' or on other platforms ”.
According to the current directives, by the 2018 all the Eurofighter Typhoon belonging to the 'Tranche-1' must be withdrawn from service. The T-1 fighters have Initial Operational Capacity e Basic Air Defense Capability. The United Kingdom, a year later, will also withdraw Panavia Tornado GR.4.
The RAF consists of 192 fighter planes: 87 Tornado, 53 EFA 'Tranche-1' and 12 Typhoon of the 2 Tranche. On delivery 40 EFA of 3A. The Tranche-3A will be delivered within the 2019. The RAF, with the current plans, will find itself in the 2019 with only 127 aircraft, reaching the historical minimum since its foundation. Situation that will remain constant for a couple of years, considering that the F-35B will enter into service with the United Kingdom between the 2020 and the 2021.
(photo: US Air Force)
