No doubt of the capability, just the economy of it for me- if i could have 2-3 attack choppers for the price of one jet, or another MLRS battery, which is better? I would have thought the lack of proper naval guns to support a landing would be just as important

PGMS still need to be targeted, aircraft vulnerable after climbing.

Any increase in training and readiness meet with typhoon reinforcements

I’d say there is a degree of humiliation in failure and loss-its how you move on that matters

make it two subs- point is that they offer a lethal strike potential.

Agreed on there being no need for more loss of life- no need to repeat the mistakes of either side

why? as the F/A-18 has proven, carrier aircraft are adept at operating drom land in rough conditions- the smart money says one F-35 variant will be cut- The C can replace the A, not the other way round. without the A, the C’s price drops dramatically

If F-35 is not ready in 3 years,I could see Australia definately needing another 24-32; 75 and a restarted 78 at tindal re-equiping, all legacy hornets to williamstown, with the worst one placed into store, maybe 78 sqn equipped with the Growler

do you think they will come quickly enough? personally i think an extra 100 super hornets needed on current projects. I also see us needing another 12 minimum, probably 24 for australia

Will the LHD/As need resurfacing to cope with it?

I have my doubts- cutting it and the economy of a larger F-35C buy must be tempting for the cash strapped DoD

why would that tie them up? the carriers would have to be there for air superiority, and could rotate aircraft over the FBA in cycles, with a standing alert? have two carriers with navy for air superiority and deep strike and one withe marine squadrons for CAS at the FBA?With an extra 2-6 helicopters, the LHA/Ds could have more armed helicopters- and the cobras have to be the BEST CAS helicopters! with the F-35Cs covering air superiority and SEAD, where is the need- the point is if its not economically viable for the F-35B, the alternatives will work, and that may lead to it being scraped- and that would lead to more squadrons available for CVN deployment, adding more weight.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the USAF should swallow its pride and buy the F-35C.
A working and economical F-35B would be nice, opens the possibility of a RAN FAA off our LHDs!