The use of airpower shapes UK defence planning

this article on Ares got me thinking:

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3aff2c16d8-95fc-4d2e-bc7f-61d9cf7329f3&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

Certain events:

The ongoing Libyan airbased campaign
use of advanced low collateral damage weaponry,
deployment of marinised Apache off of Ocean (and possibly in Yemen), purchase of more armed UAS, ongoing advanced and diverse UCAV development,
the idea that fastjets will be at once recon and strike assets
2 large carriers on the way

These things make me think that UK defence planning is moving towards heavy reliance on airborne assets to make the use of ground troops less costly. I see it as really pushing the equipment to produce what we need it to, in new and innovative ways.

This is not necessarily new. Brimstone, marinised Apache, the carriers, UCAVs all have roots tracing back over a decade at least.

Do you think I’m right, or just insanely optimistic?