WEBF - I'm wondering if you think we may be depending on the QE (as we'll only have one at any time) to engage in any unilateral action against an enemy with a serious airforce or navy? Always excepting the FI I can't think of a single one ................
Indeed - our national defence strategy is planned around the premise that we will never face a threat that has not been selected/determined/contrived by the USA. The QE is just an extra USMC amphibious assault ship for the US DoD planners. It will be incapable of operating independently (even against the FI threat).
Our restrictive alliance with the USA has been the principal reason for decline in our operational capability against any unique threats to the UK. We have lost so much capability and flexibility by tying ourselves so closely to US strategy.
Just look at French capability and flexibility - on a budget less than ours. They can mount rapid, expeditionary operations to protect French interests and citizens (e.g. Mali), but are still regarded as valuable allies by the USA when objectives align.