Would Arsenal Birds reduce the number of carriers needed?

Would the Arsenal Birds' endurance and coverage let governments operate fewer carrier platforms?

Wide coverage suggests fewer platforms, while overseas commitments and demonstrations of will support the opposing case for more.

Long endurance and wide coverage prompt the argument that only a few Arsenal Birds would be needed for European air superiority. Clarke argues that governments also have commitments outside Europe and would want platforms available for multiple deployments. His Falklands example is conditional on Argentina receiving a platform too. Dragon questions why such a platform needs ordinary presence missions when its reach is obvious. The ability to reach a region demonstrates capability; choosing to deploy there also communicates political will. That distinction leaves force numbers dependent on political commitments as well as platform performance.