I threw in the transatlantic race just to see the reaction from the Phantom fans !
I'm suggesting this scenario as we simply cannot go on as we are re.Fleet defence.
We all know the CVF's will be lucky to get through the Tory cuts looming, and though one compliments the other and good money has already been spent, it will be very lucky if the F-35 survives as well, especially with a Prime Minister who seems to agree with the Americans that WWII began on December 7th 1941 !
If we do manage to hang on to the carriers, I can't think of a better solution than Harrier II+, which mixes rather well with Joint Force Harrier.
To send them into harm's way without something carrying AMRAAM would be criminal; and as Beagle says, we have no way of knowing who we might end up fighting, we don't need carriers & a decent Fleet Air Arm right now, but we may well, almost certainly will, in future; why else do we have Trident ?!