If CVF and JCA is too expensive, then lets buy Rafale instead. Commonality of air type and platform with the French and conventional capability as well. Oh, but then the light blue won't get the toy they want to replace GR9 will they!
To those people who talk about using JCA more flexibly by having them ashore rather than on "the boat", you clearly do not have any clue about what it takes to get current "day and night" and "operational" on a carrier. You cannot just hop on for a few days, fly a few circuits and pop off again. It takes a long to get a whole squadron current and more importantly maintain that currency. That it is why it is such an effective platform, because not many nations of the world can do it.
Also, comparing CVS with CVF when talking about how useful these platforms are, is like comparing an HS125 with a Tristar. They may have two wings and carry passengers but they are totally different.
If CVF had been around in 82, then there would have been no loss of Sheffield or loss of life in Bluff Cove, Sierra Leone would have been a breeze, Deny Flight in Bosnia would have had a massive boost and as to the last 2 Gulf Crises..........They are not like for like, the CVS is compromised on deck size etc and it is a testament to the UK that we have managed to make do with these ships for so long in such a diverse role.
Comments like saying cancel CVF, cancel Typhoon etc are extremely niave. No-one will see the money...it will disappear into the NHS or end up paying for legal aid for illegal immigrants.
Typhhon is needed, CVF is needed, more SH are needed, a decent tanker is needed, MASC is needed, a conventional ship launched FJ is needed (Dave C or Rafale), a Nimrod replacement is needed..etc etc.....they are all needed and Jacko, if you spent more of your energy and obvious intelligence fighting for all these things rather than trying to cherry pick, maybe, just maybe, your lobbying might make a difference.