David,
Re. Air defence Systems - remember at Farnborough a few years back - the Rapier2 system was the only one that detected the B2 stealth bomber so we do have a good ADS. If we had the Tornado2 air defence variant out there then we'd have a good fighter as well. The Harrier can't be written off yet either.
The main reason that we're served with these needs by the US is probably the same reason we used the Sherman in WW2 - not 'cos it's good but just 'cos there's lots of them.
The RAF have always proved that in combat they can operate within yards of our front-line troops with very few casualties - from Normandy ( Typhoons, Spitfires and even Lancasters) to the Falklands and Gulf1 ( Harriers).
When heckled by a US serviceman after Gulf1 as to the UK role in the desert Jim Davidson (great comedian) replied - We were there to give you w*****s something to aim at!
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