F35
We probably all want to know how good or how bad F35B is going to be for the UK. it is clearly a massive investment in both aircraft and of course aircraft carriers. To my mind, our prime security requirement must be to protect the UK from foreign attacks. To that end, why do we really need massively expensive to procure and massively expensive to operate aircraft carriers ?
The biggest concern is that these 2 projects will consume so much of our defence budget that capabilities we really need to protect our shores will and have been seriously degraded. Further, the 2 main attributes F35 possesses are - Stealth and Sensor Fusion and BVR. That will be fine for a limited number of years when these 2 capabilities become negated by inevitable advances. Then, we will be left with an aircraft that has the following basic deficiencies:
Poor agility, poor range, poor acceleration, minimal weapons storage onboard and if external, stealth compromised, single engine risk etc, etc.
At least with Typhoon, we have an aircraft that has excellent flying capability. Yes it may not be 5th Generation, but the basic platform is capable end flexible.
it could (relatively) easily and most likely at a significantly lower cost be made carrier capable (assuming we really need that).
There is no way that F35 or the Carriers will be cancelled. Too much has been invested and TOO MANY AIRFORCE AND ROYAL NAVY CAREERS depend on these; they always want the latest shiny new toys. Lets all hope that these 2 projects deliver what is required. If not, there will be a massive hole in the defence budget.