F-35 batches and the size of a future British fleet

What should be made of a report blaming F-35 costs for defence-budget problems and suggesting the order could fall to forty-five?

Aircraft are bought in batches. Roughly forty-eight were expected during the current parliamentary term, leaving later purchases to subsequent governments.

F-35s, like modern warships, are bought in batches. The expectation in March 2021 is that Britain will have ordered roughly forty-eight by the end of the parliamentary term. A later government could buy more or decide against further purchases. About ninety-six are judged desirable, while the immediate expectation remains around forty-eight.