When the Blackburn (Hawker Siddeley) Buccaneer S.2 was introduced into front-line service by 801 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) in October 1965, the Royal Navy obtained what was arguably the world's most effective strike aircraft. Though it was still capable of considerable development, especially in terms of its avionics, this was prevented - not by any shortcoming in the industry that had created it, or by lack of enthusiasm within the Fleet Air Arm - by the short-sightedness of politicians who set out to run down the Royal Navy's (RN's) carrier force. The year 1966 was one of mixed fortunes, bringing the cancellation of the RN's replacement carrier project but also the formation of 736 NAS as a Buccaneer 'School' at Lossiemouth, Moray, and two further S.2 squadrons, 800 NAS and 809 NAS, for service at sea. The force was completed by the formation of 803 NAS in 1967. The type saw service in all the operational carriers of that era, including HMS Victorious, Hermes, Eagle and HMS Ark Royal, all of which served in the Far East.
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