The Royal Air Force is one of the world's oldest and best, despite financial parsimony that has seen its strength decline to 65,000 men and 500 combat aircraft over the last 2 years. Still equipped largely with the successful and combat-proven Tornado in its F.3 fighter and GR.1 ground-attack variants, it is preparing to move into the the next century with a huge re-equipment program based on the advanced Eurofighter 2000. The Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy operates the latest versions of the versatile Sea Harrier STOVL aircraft.
