JackoNicko,
Couldn't agree more; it's conveniently forgotten that Thatcher was all for selling off HMS Invincible until the task force saved her political arse, then later refused funding for the Advanced STOVL P-1216 which made the JSF look like a pushbike ( I am NOT a labour supporter either ).
Dumping the Sea Harrier - radar range around 100 miles, AMRAAM range 50 miles + in any weather, in exchange for the slower, radar-less GR7/9 with Sidewinders good for all of 1 mile against a retreating enemy, must be blamed on the Navy ( Admirals don't fly ).
Seems to me that defence needs to be taken away from idiot politicians & career types, who are only watchfull of their limited time in office, and placed in the hands & budget of someone who knows what they're doing ...