Orac, you're a tad behind the times. Burbage has just made it crystal clear - get April IDR for da scoop. Yep crystal clear. Guessing Jacko has gone quiet on the subject trying to get his head round it. Know my brain urts.
Think repeat think TB says just one version trucks off the line - no international version - but delivered aircraft will meet country specific ORD's. If you're not on the a-list, you don't get an ORD that needs the secret sauce. All spelled out upfront so you know what you're getting (guess you dont get to know what you're not getting) before handing over the loot. Suppose that means not all the girls at the party get the same lipstick & itunes.
One country gets to share ORDs with the home team. no prizes for guessing who. Same line as feed to your committee.
Classic was response to brit requests for all the juicy bits so you good folks can hang whizz bangs of choice, "we don't do things that way, you need to buy them first then ask for the goodies". I paraphrase. Gotta admire his sphericals.
BTW, surely the exception to golden rule on converting land aircraft to carriers is.... Harrier. Does anybody really deny Sea Harrier has done pretty good job for the brits all in all?