CROWN All 36 Tornado GR4 aircraft will be decommissioned by April

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All 36 Tornado GR4s will be decommissioned by April as the RAF makes way for 12 F-35Bs to operate from RAF Marham and the new Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. The move highlights fears expressed by the head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier of “capability gaps” caused by defence cuts, which must be filled by more aircraft and resources as the threat from Russia increases. Plans to remove the Tornado from service were first raised in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). They were given a reprieve to support the air war in Syria where the aircraft are supporting Special Forces.

However, a senior source said: “The plan after the change to the 2015 SDSR decision was to keep the Tornado fully in service until the arrival of the F-35B. “But budget pressures has meant this has changed, and Tornado withdrawal is being accelerated.” The disbandment parade for the first unit to be axed, 12 Squadron, took place two weeks ago at RAF Marham. Wing Commander Nikki Thomas said: “It was very poignant for us to deliver the Squadron’s final flight as an operational mission because 12 Squadron has been at the very forefront of UK operations to defeat [IS].” According to the RAF, pilots will be transferred to other units and no jobs will be lost as part of the drawdown.

There is a chance affected squadrons could be reformed if the Government opts to buy more F-35s. At present there are only enough F35s for one unit, the 617 squadron. It comes as the RAF grapples to find the cash needed to fulfil its increasing operational commitments. Under the review, the RAF stands to acquire at least another 48 F-35Bs but the National Audit Office has said the Armed Forces equipment plan is unaffordable. Last night Air Commodore Andrew Lambert of the UK National Defence Association, said: “We fought hard to save the Tornados of 12 Squadron in 2015 because, as we have seen, they can still play a vital role in defeating IS.

MOD Budget pressures have meant the Tornado withdrawal has been accelerated