From the horse's mouth as to speak:
"The single carrier will therefore routinely have 12 fast jets [F-35C] embarked for operations while retaining the capacity to deploy up to the 36 previously planned, providing combat and intelligence capability much greater than the existing Harriers. It will be able to carry a wide range of helicopters, including up to 12 Chinook or Merlin transports and eight Apache attack helicopters.... This will delay the in-service date of the new carrier [HMS PoW] from 2016 to around 2020 [and how much extra cost will that entail?]. But it will allow greater interoperability with US and French carriers and naval jets. It provides the basis for developing joint Maritime Task Groups in the future..."
It does mention on page 28 that there will be a reduction of the planned number of F-35Cs ordered, but nothing else.
Last edited by mick2088; 19th Oct 2010 at 15:32.