Investment divided by quantity to be delivered to the UK gives a unit price approaching £70 m per aircraft, which makes EF look cheap, and which is very much higher than the figures quoted by JSF marketeers. (It was s'posed to cost no more than an F-16 Block 60, remember).
And that's if US cost control on this program is more reliable than it's been on the F-22.
There is grave doubt as to whether all three versions will make it to service - and many are still pressing for complete cancellation. The STOVL version is thought most likely for the chop. Interesting that all recent BAe artists impressions of the new CV show CTOL aircraft on it, not STOVL.
And if we're not going to get the STOVL one, there are better, cheaper, more capable options, IMHO.
Even the Dutch already have chilly feet on this over-priced F-16 replacement, which was 'designed to cost' not designed for capability.
And all for an aircraft whose standard warload is two 1,000-lb JDAMs.
Instead, why not buy larger numbers of Gripens (or whatever) and banish overstretch forever!
PS: John F: Thought you favoured the Boeing STOVL solution?