Future amphibious transport ships and an earlier five-deck ambition

What is the amphibious transport-ship programme likely to produce, and what would an ideal version have been?

The earlier ideal was three LHDs alongside the two carriers. The programme is assessed as smaller, uncontracted and likely to be deferred.

An earlier ambition paired three landing helicopter docks with the two carriers, allowing F-35 operations from five decks. The transport-ship proposals under discussion are assessed as much more modest, including a ship smaller than the existing logistics vessels. At this point the programme is described as having no firm ship order, construction start or formal contract. Repeated changes of direction leave its eventual outcome uncertain. The forecast is that a decision will be deferred into the next parliament.