The UK has ordered 3 F-35B. The MoD has tried to change that to 3 F-35C, but the Yanks are unwilling to switch.

You can send all your test pilots well versed in a CATOBAR operations to test them. Oh wait. These are development, not operational aircraft.

The Gripen is the aircraft the UK should/could buy – including a Sea Gripen version for the FAA.

Bit of a waste using a 60k ton hull for an aircraft that can operate safely in less than half of that displacement.

IMHO Brazil would seem to be the only possible customer. Granted the so called “Sea Gripen” would be a perfect fit for the Sao Paulo, I just cant see a potential order for, realistically, less than 20 a/c fueling the development of what would essentially be a brand new combat a/c.

I see two other possibilites.

India: Going with sea Gripen would allow the Indians to keep the smaller Vikrant hull for CATOBAR IAC-2/3 and provide a path for Vikrant herself to be refitted CATOBAR later in life. It would be much less expensive than the twin engine options to operate.
Argentina. As an eventual replacement for the SuEs.
Italy/Spain if the F-35B goes pear shaped.
Turkey who now wants a carrier.
Any small to mid-size power who wants to join the carrier game.

The PLA claims to be working a HE homing warhead for the DF21, so it comes down to the SM-3s needing a perfect intercept record. If only one DF21 slips through, the CVN could be mission killed.

And the CAP will be too busy dodging PL-12s fired by shore-based J-20s or J-15s launched from the Varyag, who will be in front clearing the way for the H-6s.

The J-15 and their PL-12s will be able to track and lock on to F-35s how exactly?

Problem is that the RAF has all the power here. All they have to do is play along and then they get their jets. From there they can give their eventual argument that keeping up carriers skills is too difficult for them. Doesn’t matter to them if the Royal Navy ends up with a couple of giant LPHs or if they get sold to Brazil or India.

Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft.

The lack of BVR missile, a look-down shoot-down radar, and AEW capability almost put the RN in a world of hurt. If the Argies had set the fuses on their bombs properly a lot of those ships that were damaged would have been sunk. Instead of showing how great the Sea Harriers were, it showed what well trained and disciplined aviators could do with inferior hardware.

That’s pretty impressive

Do you have the links to those pics by chance?

Viva la France! This has kind of been a system testing exercise. The Rafale and Chucky have worked great. The penny pinching decisions to slow the A2G upgrades to the Typhoon and the canning the SHAR and then the Harrier GRs and the carriers haven’t worked out at all. Our President’s resolve, complete failure.