, Two Harrier GR9A aircraft have arrived in Afghanistan from the UK after a journey of more than 3,500 miles (5,600 km). Just under two hours later they were ready for action flying over UK ground forces combating the Taleban.
The two Harrier GR9As are replacing two of the current Harrier GR7A fleet in Afghanistan and over the coming year the Harrier detachment, operating from Kandahar Airfield, will move to a 100% Harrier GR9A fleet.
The upgraded Harriers flew from the home of the Joint Force Harrier (JFH) at RAF Cottesmore in Rutland and stopped over at Cyprus and the Middle East. They brought with them enhanced avionics that include a better navigation suite and more sophisticated weapon aiming systems, improving the ability of JFH pilots to support British and coalition troops on the ground.
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The Harrier is part of an agile and adaptable Air Force that, person for person, is second to none. It is able to provide a winning air power contribution to joint operations in support of the UK Defence Mission
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On arrival 1 (F) Squadron engineers ensured the new aircraft were armed and declared 100% ready for tasking within the shortest possible time
