sandiego
You are right - the cost of any form of new conventional carrier is eye watering. Most of the older vessels now retiring were hand-me-downs from the western navies stock built in the 50's or 60's (or even older)
I think Waters point is that there are more options now - and you don't have to commit to (say) the F-35 right now - you buy a Mistral and it will last you 40 years - if, in the future you can afford the F-35 or there are some early models coming free then you can change your mind.
For someone like Brazil it probably makes more sense to spend their $$ on the SSBN programme right now