Royal Navy Airpower

Hi all,

Just wondering what the members opinions are on the British decision to go with the F-35B STOVL as there next naval combat aircraft?

http://www.aviationnow.com/avnow/news/channel_military.jsp?view=story&i…

The article also mentions that the “carriers will be designed to accommodate STOVL and conventional takeoff aircraft”, and “negotiations with French officials to cooperate on building and operating one of the aircraft carriers is continuing, but the U.K. will stick to its production schedule”.

It seems to me that the Brits are throwing away the perfect opportunity to get back into “serious” (for want of a better word) naval airpower that can equal that set by France. Also wouldn’t the USN seem to be a better partner for cooperation in the program?

Cheers,
Jim