Harrier retirement from the British Armed Forces
1. december 2010 21:47 | DefenseBy Joe G.
The famous British Aerospace Harrier will retire next year from the UK military as a result of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. It made its last flight from an aircraft carrier on the 24th of November when four Harrier jets took off from HMS Ark Royal for the last time.
Photo by Koen Hartkamp
The Harrier is a V/STOL (vertical/short take off and landing) aircraft that was designed and manufactured by Hawker Siddeley Aviation for the British Armed Forces in the 1960s. The design was later modified by British Aerospace to create the Harrier II. Close to 850 units have been built and the aircraft has had a very successful run in both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy.
Photo by Keith Campbell
In 2000, a joint Harrier unit was formed when the Joint Strike Wing (former Joint Force Harrier) was formed. The Joint Strike Wing is a joint force between the Royal Navy's Sea Harrier FA2 squadrons and the Royal Air Force Harrier GR 7/7A squadrons.
The decision to retire the Harrier aircraft and its carrier, HMS Ark Royal, has been heavily criticized by senior Royal Navy officials that claim that this would weaken the UK military in Afghanistan as well make UK unable to defend the Falkland Islands, if ever needed. This has caused senior officials to speak out to defend the decision. During the Falkland Island dispute, Harriers shot down 27 Argentinean fighters during air-to-air combat without a single Harrier being lost in combat.
The successful and popular Harrier will be deeply missed, not only for its combat ability, but also as the ultimate V/STOL aircraft.
Photo by Keith Campbell
Photo by Keith Campbell
Photos are published with permission from author
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