and an aircraft with a unit production price that has already escalated to $100 m (or $110 m). That's almost as much as Typhoon. And almost none of it will flow back to the UK exchequer in tax. And it's an aircraft which the UK may not be allowed to upgrade, service and maintain. And it has no external ASRAAM so no lock before launch. And there are still some doubts about Meteor and Storm Shadow integration. And it would represent an entire new aircraft type, with commensurate extra logistics support costs.
"I see no reason why the UK would sacrifice its investment in the F35." Indeed! I can't see a single reason, either. There are many.
And while Typhoon N was ruled out of FCBA, all those years ago, my understanding is that paid study contracts for a non-JSF JCA plan B have been let, and at least one of these covers Typhoon N. It seems to be being ruled back in.