Joint procurement and carriers for the F-35B

The Treasury had justified a two-ship limit with an availability study, while allowing the carrier size to vary. Replacing an established international fleet would change that argument over how many new British carriers were needed. Continuing Canadian or Australian participation could spread costs and make additional British ships more likely. Canada is not expected to build its own carriers, while Australia might accept British-built hulls and complete the fitting out locally, following the comparison with the Canberra class. A ship without steam or electromagnetic catapults would avoid some demanding installation and calibration work. The enlarged Invincible design would also provide more practical capacity for independent operations. Those differences could carry into the later F-35B programme.