The sound of chickens coming home to roost around the Naval Staff must be deafening! I'm no expert in maritime force projection but I'd have thought a slightly larger number of DD/FF would give ones Navy a better all round and balanced capability, greater relevence and utility than one in service CVS (with or without F35). All this bunk about not needing basing rights or overflight rights is just horse. Unless your prospective enemy has a coastline you need overflight rights for a TLAM let alone an aeroplane. Ships need dip clear for passage through certain waters and I recall the Naval commander from Gulf War II saying he couldn't have sustained his force without the berthing rights in the Gulf or the airbridge (which yes needed dip clear). I'm sorry matelots but you've sold your souls for a grand gesture of the most foolhardy kind.