World Tornado situation......

[Unknown74]

Now that we know that unfortunately the RAF Tornado GR.4 Fleet will be retired at the end of this Month I was just wondering when the Tornado users from the rest of the World are likely/due to retire their fleets of Tornados?

[Kurnass]

Germany has plans to withdraw the last of it’s current 85 Tornado jets in 2025. But they are also considering to keep some of them until 2030 or even longer, if there is no replacement for the ECR or nuclear task before that.

[LM47]

Germany had hoped to keep some as long as 2035 but are now worried about costs after the UK withdrawal.
Italy are looking to retire their fleet by 2027.
RSAF looking at 2025.
The cost issue will also apply to them too I suppose.
Does anyone know what is happening to the RAF spares holding?

[Ghost from above]

I'd read somewhere that the UK fleet will be raided for spares and then sold to the Germans

[romeo bravo]

OUr fleet was slated to go out to mid-2020s, but then again so was Harrier; and look what has happened to both.

As for spares, it depends on what you mean as the nuts and bolts elements will be passed around other current platforms to see if they need in the future. Larger bits, all depends on if they are compatible with other fleets around the world.

[Agent K]

OUr fleet was slated to go out to mid-2020s, but then again so was Harrier; and look what has happened to both.

As for spares, it depends on what you mean as the nuts and bolts elements will be passed around other current platforms to see if they need in the future. Larger bits, all depends on if they are compatible with other fleets around the world.

I doubt very much there’s too much compatibility between the Tornado and Typhoon etc. Perhaps some avionics/radio but that will be all. I’d imagine anything else, what’s left will be sold to current operators (or should be!)

[gamecock]

as the nuts and bolts elements will be passed around other current platforms to see if they need in the future.

Single-use items will be scrapped with the bulk of the airframe. The RTP process involved a 'keep list' that was surprisingly small. It costs a lot of money to store an entire Tornado broken down into constituent parts and stored correctly, so only items considered high use or value were kept.

what’s left will be sold to current operators

It's a bit more complicated than that. Remember there are already contracts in place for the various Tornado fleets going forward. How would you feel if the RAF suddenly sold another air force 5 years of parts that you were currently being paid to supply? Fleet compatibility would also be a significant issue.

[Agent K]

Fair point, I meant more that whomever is supporting these fleets would be foolish to not acquire lifed and available spares if they were available.

[Doughnut]

The RAF Tornado fleet probably has the highest airframe hours compared to the other three users. Hence the RTP program was used to support the remaining RAF Tornado fleet to the end. BAe Systems were responsible for this so its fair to assume BAe will have been contracted to dispose what is left. There will be serviceable items, such as engines, that can be "zero houred" and sold to the other users, most likely Saudi as BAe support them as well. Airframe components will have high fatigue lifes and avionics will not be compatible as German / Italian airforces have all gone with their own system updates.
Not much left. it is disappointing that remaining the airframes can not be allocated to suitable UK museums. Crying shame that Lossimouth (9 sqn) have not been allocated ZG775

[Benji35]

I read somewhere that a few tornados will still fly after there retirement in a test role how true I don't know

[Vulcanone]

After 31st March, unless they fly anything to a museum, which isn't very likely. The only way any RAF jets are likely to fly is dangling from a crane as it goes into the crusher.

[Unknown74]

Considering a trip down to Duxford at some point in the future and as they have a couple on Display I'll get my chance to see Tornados again.

Still a shame more Museums are unlikely to receive any. pity.

[Bluetail]

One major consideration for the Tornado fleet will be ITAR ( ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) and the EAR (Export Administration Regulations) are export control regulations run by different departments of the US Government. Both of them are designed to help ensure that defense related technology does not get into the wrong hands.) There will be many parts that need to be removed particularly covered by these regulations. I believe the Tornado at the Midland Air Museum was recently subject to an interesting discussion with regards to ITAR defined parts that hadn't been previously removed and the RAF asked for them back.

[gamecock]

Fair point, I meant more that whomever is supporting these fleets would be foolish to not acquire lifed and available spares if they were available.

Absolutely, at least look at the possibility.