To be honest Rafale with EFs and Typhoon FGR.4 Avionics would with small mods be carrier capable. We should stick with JFCA but only as a replacment with land based Harrier in smaller numbers.

I think for combat load the Harrier has the load of about ten Reapers with their Hellfire in Brimstone-Same basic misslie

by which time the RAF will be looking to replace their Tornado GR4s

Do we really want JFCA as it is known in the UK to be the replacement for the GR4? My view is no as although the logistics of a two type fast jet air force it wont have as big a capability with two multi-role fighters and nothing dedicated.

Party why not have lets say 6 dedicated F-18 tankers for long range ops?

Canada
STOVL
8 F35B
3 ASW Cormarants
2 Utility CH-148
3 AEW CH-148
2 of these with secondary LPH role for one of them as follows
6 Utility CH-148
2 Chinook
4 Apache

My Proposal for a super carrier that is STOBAR on an Orel hull with CVF islands, 2xRAM and 2xAster 15 VLS
30 F-35C
6 Merlin/V-22 or E-2D AEW
6 Merlin ASW
2 Grayhound? (Would this and E-2D work)
4 Chinook in Amphib
8 Apache in Amphib
10 Lynx Wildcat (Mixed depending on mission)
Nuclear as with other Russian design of mine.
Maybe 2 or 3 Goalkeeper

except for the AV-8B+, as a stopgap until the 8 F-35B’s arrive 😀

A Belgian carrier won’t be in service before JCA! Sorry to spoil the moment

A good and cheap carrier?
2 for Australia
35,000 Tones
20 F/A-18
5 Merlin
5 AEW Modified Merlin’s
2 Goalkeepers CIWS
STOBAR
Gas Turbine propulsion turning electrical generator 240v
Length-235m
Width-50m