Well put MM.One point worth adding re the bombers. I doubt very much that the Admirals were told "Trident or Carriers not both" as Jacko suggests. The deterrent is a Joint National asset, NOT a naval one. The fact that it is predominantly dark blue merely reflects the chosen delivery method. It most certainly doesn't do much for RN force structure (I can't think of more than three or so units contingent on the deterrent and not all of them are dark blue) and having to support that force from the naval budget does the RN no favours at all.People have debated the future deterrent to death, but if you're going to use an unmanned delivery system, then cruise is too limited in range and vulnerable. Given Ivans recent behaviour, you'd think a ballistic system was worth hanging on to just in case.Having had the naval budget decimated by Trident in the 80s, one might have thought "the Admirals" would have been keen to avoid a repeat......