See what a blinkered approach, it is the navy that is mortgaging 'everything' on the 2 carriers for naval aviation.
How much surface fleet have you 'sold the silver' to get them.
FnF,
Sadly, without the CVF there will not be much need for a frigate and destroyer force, as once the CVF goes the amphibs will soon follow (nothing to protect them, no need for T45 and just need a Dutch or FGerman size Navy (if that).
CVF is a political tool not just an RN one, the Government understand this. It is designed to send a message in a way that land based force (located in UK at the time the influence is needed) cannot. Why do you think the Italians, Spanish, Indians, Chinese, Russians etc are all aquiring them? I also note the Aussies are moving back towards flat-tops.
No doubt Jacko will retort that we simply cannot afford CVF etc, but sadly this Government (and probably the next one) has decided that it WANTs to afford it even to the detriment of other projects (like FRES, MRA4, Frigates etc). That is their choice despite what the higher ups in MOD may say.
How about a Defence Helicopter Command run by just the RN and Army - they are the main users after all? The RAF could run the trucks and have a Defence Fighter/Bomber Force run by RN/RAF. Any job above 1* across Defence would be rotational/BMFTJ. Another thread perhaps?