I am sure there is a wish list a mile long, and I don't think if the gov't had of said, heres an extra 6 billion, anyone would have said, we'll have 24 super hornets thanks.
Why not ask the USAF to base some F-15s out here for for a few years, a much better deterant that 24 hornets.
Spend the money on additional AWD or when the time comes, a small number of F35C to operate off the spanish LHD, if we buy them, replacement for the Carbiou, additional Chooks, C-17's, tankers etc etc etc.