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Thinking about the @RUSI_org article by @Justin_Br0nk about UK combat air options, we will almost certainly need to purchase more than the 48 F-35Bs we have already committed to. Otherwise we risk not having critical mass. 72 aircraft or 6 squadrons would be good. (1/5)
As usual, the question is affordability, which is why the case for the F-35A is compelling. It is significantly cheaper than F-35B. It is also real today instead being an exercise in wishful thinking that may or may not deliver an excellent aircraft in 25 years time. (2/5)
Evolving Tempest into a UAS is a sensible recommendation. Not only would this be more affordable, it carries significantly less risk. In any event, it may make sense to push Tempest to the right by about five years and focus on Typhoon and F-35. (3/5)
We must support UK aircraft manufacturing while being realistic about what this can achieve. The $160 billion invested in JSF has bought a massive amount of capability. We cannot match that. So a loyal-wingman type of UAS might be a useful stepping-stone to Tempest. (4/5)
In any event, the RAF is under-resourced. Any choice we make will require an uplift in the budget at a time when spare cash has never been more scarce. But the deterrent effect of capable aircraft will always be less expensive than the cost of prosecuting a conflict. (5/5)
