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?
Isn't that what the UK is nearly doing?
I read they are making an order decision in 2015 and if they order the long lead items 2015/16, it will be first delivery about 2019