Thanks for the clarification sprucemoose.
I don't wish to descend directly into the 'all politicians are liars' type post - it is just a hefty dose of cynicism that I currently hold (and a cynic is only an optimist with experience under their belt).
Did we order 12 Type 45 destroyers - or did we say 12 and then dilute that down?
I can foresee a pretty pickle surrounding the F35 that is different to the 'Phoon - as being principle partners in the project I doubt that the UK will be allowed to sell our quota on to other folks as we have seen recently with the Typhoon's to Saudu in order to ease the cashflow problems.