Are The RAF going to send any Eurofighters to Afghanistan?

Question

I wouldn't have thought that the harriers are ideally suited to a desert? hence when are they going to replace them with typhoons? will it be their first combat trial (RAF or otherwise)?

Answer 1

There are no plans at the moment to send them, it would have been the first combat trial if they had gone. It can be used as ground support/attack it can carry alot more than the Harriers, there probably aren't enough at the moment to send. Now that the government have said they are selling the 3rd tranche of jet to the saudis it is unlikely you will see them for a while. The aircraft that are replacing Harrier is Tornado as was announced by the government a few weeks back.  

Answer 2

The Euro fighter typhoon is going into combat in places like Afghanistan and Iraq this year. And the number of Harriers will decline slowly until they are abandoned, very similar to what happened to to tornado.

Last year around 80% of pilots had to learn the Euro fighter control systems.

You are right in saying that the harrier is not ideal for the dessert so hopefully things will improve this year when the Euro fighter is introduced.

Answer 3

and who will pay the fuel bill

Answer 4

good question mate & a star for you.

Answer 5

Eventually, they will have to, but it isn't optimised for close air support, it is primarily a fighter, not a bomber, as the name suggests.  The Harrier GR9 is much more effective in this role, as was the Jaguar until HMG pulled them out of service along with the Sea Harrier FA2s to save money.  

The Tornado isn't good at either, as it was deigned by a European committee to suit everyone's needs, and wasn't as good as the Buccaneers and Phantoms that it replaced.  Buccaneers had to slow down to give fuel to the Tornado!

Answer 6

Im thinking when the UK gets the F-35s, they will send those instead. Typhoons are being used to protect the UKs airspace.

Answer 7

I take it you aint there or else you'd know there already there ..

Answer 8

No need.

The harriers are battle-proven and have been performing well. If broke why fix it.