And much more useful than bloody aircraft carriers, which we haven't needed since '82.
Jacko don't you realise how many cocktail parties the RN have had on the "carriers"?
It does seem the obvious choice for R1 replacement is A300 (ish) or B767 (ish). Superficially the A300 is more palateable politically/economically as it is European and already part built in the UK (standing by to be corrected!)
Commonality is generally good, but I wouldn't mind betting that a modern Boeing/Airbus is cheaper to run then an ancient design that we happen to still have.