Sea harrier Retires Early

Defence spending cuts have led to the Sea Harrier FA2 being withdrawn from service while still relatively young; the last new-build FA2 (ZH813) will be only seven years old when it leaves the Fleet Air Arm.

Without these potent AMRAAM armed fighters the fleet will be without organic air defence.
The first manifestation of this move was the temporary disbandment of 800 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton on 31st March, 24 years to the day from when it was recommissioned to become the first Sea Harrier FRSMk1 squadron. The aircraft had disembarked from HMS Ark Royal for the last time on 18th February.

In the Falklands campaign, under the inspired leadership of Lt Cdr 'Sharky' Ward and operating from HMS Hermes, 800 NAS's pilots shot down 13 Argentine aircraft making 800 NAS the highest scoring Squadron in the history of the Royal Navy.

Many of the pilots will transfer to the Harrier GR7s of Joint Force Harrier at RAF Cottesmore. In due course 800 NAS will be recommissioned on 1st April 2006 as a Harrier GR9 squadron, to be followed by 801 NAS.