I would also have though that 44 F35Bs would been sufficient to find two squadrons out of. Then again how many are going to O.E.U. and O.C.U. which will likely be based in the states. I'm convinced that the U.K. political elite have convinced themselves that the only military challenges ahead will come from primitively equipped insurgents in wastelands with no air force of any to speak of. That they have decided to steer clear of Syria for now on account of the presence of a reliable air defence element says a lot about the main stream politicians outlook on future Defence and Security requirements. They are eager enough to act as though they carry a big stick but are increasingly being forced to face up to the fact that they don't.
FB