Who would pay for a carrier-capable Tempest?

Could Britain standardise on the F-35C and make Tempest carrier-capable later?

The option is considered possible, but its feasibility depends on whether programme partners would share the naval requirement and cost.

The suggestion separates an immediate aircraft choice from a later domestic or collaborative design. Japan and Italy are raised as partners whose willingness to fund carrier capability would matter. The Franco-German fighter programme supplies a comparison for conflicting requirements. The funding and agreement needed for a naval version remain unresolved.