If Rafale were selected it would almost certainly be the M-F3 (version, the current operational versions on CDG are M-F1 single seat versions.

Converting the carriers is not a big deal just a re-pricing exercise, dont forget France is paying to be in this carrier prog. Theirs will be CTOL.

Laurence, Mildenhall, UK

"Experts"! Rafale is not good enough to defeat Russian Flankers or Chinese J10s. With new supply chain and training it's not cheaper! F18E is no better. Only 2 options: stealthy F35B or super-agile Typhoon. Beefing up the structure, gear and hook (yes - there's one already!) is no big deal.

Glenn Ridsdale, Sheffield, England

Developing a navalized Eurofighter would be more expensive than just sticking with the F-35. A more realistic option would be to buy Super Hornets. Reconfiguring the Carriers for CATOBAR would also allow the use of E-2D's for AEW, something British carriers painfully lack right now.

Matt, Chicago, IL, USA

Ditch F33B, change the CVF to a CTOL platform and buy the F35A. replace the marine Trents on the CVF to PWR (Rolls Royce already make them for the subs so how expensive could it be?ok I know they'd need to multiple units to drive such a large ship). Complement the F35's with UCAV's...job done.

Gordy Rampling, London,

Arguably, an up-rated (with extended range) Eurofighter is better suited & more affordable to Britain's defence needs. We are an improverished nation that can't even afford to send planes to intercept Russian bomber in UK airspace. The Americans can afford to play the world policeman game-we can't!

Chris, Southend, Essex

JSF cancellation represents an opportunity. Applying Moore's law to UAV's could see Future Carrier as a unqiue mothership for a swarm of capable UAV's. Meanwhile, the defence industrial base remains more than capable of providing the RN with options for manned aircraft systems.

Jeffrey Bradford, New York, United States of America

UK defence spending is among the highest in the world. The cuts have been mainly bought about by years of incompetence within the MoD and the rip-off UK defence industry. The MoD is already looking to replace the recently purchased Viking armoured vehicles in Afghanistan.

Chris, Southend, Essex

We used to have armed forces to be proud of, but defence cuts brought about by political pressures such as peace lobbyists mean that we prevent out serviceman having access to equipment they deserve. JSF is a highly capable naval aircraft; DONT UNDERESTIMATE OUR NEED FOR DEFENCE!

Matt Hollins, Stoke-On-Trent, UK

JSF is overrated. Cancel it & the aircraft carriers. We simply can't afford them & they are a total waste of money. Don't forget the enormous costs required for each battle group to protect the carriers.
We have poured billions into the defence industry for 2nd-rate/much delayed military equipment.

Chris, Southend, Essex

Again, Labour put our troops at risk, it is happy to spend billions of our taxpayers money in foreign aid. But our troops and the defence of our country is the lowest of priorities. Labour OUT!

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

The easiest solution would be buying "Rafale M", which are combat proven 4th generation fighters. May be not performing as well as Typhoon in Air2Air mode (but still very close to it), performing much better in ATG mode, and carrier-ready.
France could procure 80 EF for air defence.
Win-win swap.

Gery, Paris, France

Rumour has it that when contracts are shortly signed, international F-35 partners will be offered a fixed price of nearly US$60 million per aircraft. That will be about £33 million per aircraft at current prices. While the F-35B is likely to cost slightly more, this will still be considerably cheaper than the unit price of the Eurofighter Typhoon or the Rafale.

Mike, London, UK

Thanks to Blair UK world reputation now stinks.
As we're also broke suggest do a 'Switzerland'. Declare strict neutrality. Scrap all defence budgets and spend remaining money on retraining personnel.
Redeploy some funds to draconian immigration controls.

Leigh Vernier, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

IF the new Euro fighter - and certainly a BIG if - is modified to fly off carrier decks then it would certainly- and probably - be the best route to take. The problem are the politicians swho are jeopardizing Britain's (once military) might. The UKs an ISLAND! Wake up..support your military!!

Chris Yelpoc, Red Bluff, California, USA

If HM Government’s current force structure plans don’t envision even 20 destroyers or frigates at sea, then it is sheer fantasy to believe there will ever be two new carriers, regardless how they are kitted out.

Dennis Eagan, Colorado Springs,

> F-35 can "only" carry on two bombs during an operation and a few air to air missiles

only if it's operating in stealth mode

other planes don't even have the OPTION of stealth mode

in non-stealth mode the F-35B can carry 16,000 lbs of ordnance, the same as an A-10

irtusk, usa,

I can´t understand how American aircraft industries have missed in the developement of a strike aircraft.
F-35 can "only" carry on two bombs during an operation and a few air to air missiles and that for a cost as can ruin a countrys defence budget.

R Jonsson, Kristianstad, Sweden

> The carrier version hasn't even flown yet..

The F-35B (which the UK is buying) has flown

> overinflated price compared to F-18E/F

they are nearly the same

> Longer Range

don't make me laugh

> Why not just go for the French Rafale

F-35 is cheaper

irtusk, usa,

The problem with dropping the JSF is that the carriers will now have to be fitted with catapultes which were taken out of the original design to save money! Option to retrofit was left in the design. Should have gone for catapult launch aircraft in the first place. To marinise Typhoon will cost !!!!

Peter Jones, Stroud,

We don't know if the JSF wil work. The carrier version hasn't even flown yet.... Eurofighter can fly but need to be adapted. So...

Frode, Oslo, Norway

Buying F-35B at there overinflated price compared to F-18E/F at a more realistic price would give the RN a Larger Fleet of aircraft to man there large Deck carriers bigger Bomb load capability compared to F-35B and Longer Range. You get Marginal Stealth frontal only Poor range/Bomb Load with F-35B

John Ferguson , san Diego ,

Why not just go for the French Rafale, or even the Super hornet, cheaper options, plus by going back to conventional carriers we will be able to fly from American and French carriers and visa versa.

vernon, Pilton, UK

If they can climb down a little from their high horses and swallow some pride, they should seriously consider by the Navalised Rafales from the french. It works and with little modification its weapons loads could customised with whatever that is already in the British arsenal!

Nathan, Hong Kong,

Since the early 20th century dawn of naval aviation, bean-counters have been comfortable sending brave men to their deaths by "adapting" existing aircraft to the perils of landing at sea. OK, punish the Yanks. But design a new sea fighter from scratch rather than invite death & disaster to airmen.

Bob Evans, Anaheim, Caluifornia