The primary role of the
Invincible class was to operate nine or so ASW Sea Kings for task group ASW in the Atlantic and GIUK gap. The Sea Harrier came later (and the anti Bear role existed because the Bear provided long range targeting for Soviet submarine launched missiles) - and the AEW Sea King after that. I have no idea what the party line is today - but I assume were are still in the business of maritime task groups, and crisis response shipping -and they are major exercises planned such as
DEFENDER 2020.
The carrier will not always have to have as many jets aboard as possible. This was one of the reasons for acquiring the B, as the C version would mean constant deck landing training. For some reason people overlook this, like they ignore the manpower needed for cats and traps..
This looks like a tooled up jet to me: