As the RAF approaches its 90th anniversary, the service faces budget pressures despite being heavily committed to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, money is still being found to boost the capabilities of the aircraft pictured - Harrier GR.9, Tornado GR.4 and Typhoon F.2. The four aircraft in this photo are from 1 (F), II (AC), 3(F) and IV (AC) Squadrons, all of which will celebrated their 95th anniversaries in 2007, having been formed in 1912 as part of the Royal Flying Corps prior to the formation of the RAF in 1918.

Supporting commitments in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the British armed forces' involvement in exercises around the world, places a heavy workload on the RAF’s airtransport fleet of C-130 Hercules, C-17As Globemaster IIIs, VC.10s and Tristars. Criticism has been levied at the RAF's ability to meet its taskings: troops anxious to return home from a combat tour of duty have sometimes been delayed for days by unserviceable aircraft, the Tristar being the culpritin many cases.

There has been much media coverage of two aircraft losses in recent years - a Hercules in Iraq in January 2005, which cost ten lives, and a Nimrod with its crew of 14 over Afghanistan in September 2006. The author argues that criticism of a lack of investment in the fitting the Hercules fuel tanks with explosive suppressant foam and lack of investment in the Nimrod's fuel system is probably unfair and represents a normal (if ill-judged) prioritisation of spending which would be inevitable, even in a more generous funding environment.

There has been much media coverage of two aircraft losses in recent years - a Hercules in Iraq in January 2005, which cost ten lives, and a Nimrod with its crew of 14 over Afghanistan in September 2006. The author argues that criticism of a lack of investment in the fitting the Hercules fuel tanks with explosive suppressant foam and lack of investment in the Nimrod's fuel system is probably unfair and represents a normal (if ill-judged) prioritisation of spending which would be inevitable, even in a more generous funding environment.

With the need to provide close air support for ground forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, the RAF has taken the lead in developing the Typhoon’s air-to-ground capability. This II Squadron Typhoon is shown dropping a 1,000lb Paveway II LGB.

The RAF's latest fighter, a Eurofighter Typhoon F.2 of 17 (R)Sqn, carrying six 1,000lb Paveway II LGBs, four AMRAAMs and two ASRAAMs

RAF VC.10s and Tristars are due to be replaced by Airbus A330s under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft programme, although finalising the deal for these aircraft has taken longer than expected. As a result, the sun will not set on the RAF's Tristars and VC10s for some years yet.