Can't help wondering if it would have been a good idea to let the US finish JSF and then buy some - was there a good reason why we couldn't use transfer a much reduced short/mid term JSF money (2012-2018), make savings and keep some GR9s going on the new carriers until 2020ish, then bin them and get mature JSF Bs?
Not ideal, but a capability better than the nothing we seem to be staring at for many years and coping with creeping delays and cost growth whilst the gap gets bigger?
I'm not trying to start another bring back harrier moan as I understand why it went and tornado didn't - but I do now wonder whether a massive 10+ years JSF postponement (and its savings) was really looked at?