Rh200,
Ah, I see what mean now. Thank you for your response. Yes, the UK may expect to operate under the U.S. Umbrella. I prefer that metaphor to the skirt thing. And, yes, NATO is a significant and very important part of the way forward.
My point was slightly different. The RN claims it is rebuilding an independent capability and I for one would love to it do that. But as you and I have both mentioned, that capability looks somewhat flawed in isolation.
Perhaps more specifically, the RN has to expect that the carrier and its air wing will be deployed to potential hot spots. If not, why have a carrier group? This could be a unilateral deployment. If the UK is not prepared to do that, why pay for its own carrier and aircraft rather than sheltering under the U.S. skirt?
You see where I'm going. All of that COULD result in actual engagements. If it couldn't, why spend all that money?