One of the reasons we may not have fought an air battle is because having a strong air defence capability in itself is a deterent. Three points to note on Air Defence......
1) Not to long ago a Russian bear aircraft tried our air defences and then found the resultant response, an F3 in quick time and then a typhoon to take over. The Russians at the mo are growing their economy and armed forces. Lets not forget maybe the cold war has gone, but a new one is always hanging in the balance.
2) Only 18 months ago Typhoons were sent to the Falklands to take over from the knackered F3's. It annoyed the Argies because they began to think we had forgotten about the islands like in 1981, however the Typhoons have shown a new commitment to the islands from us. Now look whats happened with the oil situation. Maybe the Typhoons being there has just stopped another invasion?
and most importantly...
3) Just remember the Typhoon is also supposed to be the next super fast jet that not only does air superiority but bombing as well, yes they have a bombing capability all beit at the mo in the process of being refined by 17 and 11 Sqns at Coningsby. 41 have done alot of ground work for this from when I was on the sqn. Who's gonna do the army's bombing when the harriers have been scrapped and the tonkas retired?
What about air superiority, moving mud, reconnaissance, Close Air Support, etc.....
DT_Xtremez_14: