Why Britain chose STOVL instead of catapults

Why could Britain not design a carrier catapult?

Britain could design one, but the planned common fleet of carriers and slower LHDs favored STOVL aircraft that could operate from every deck; CATOBAR would have made more sense in a three-carrier force.

Large amphibious ships with well decks cannot generate carrier speeds, so a common F-35B force offered flexibility across five proposed flight decks. A fleet designed from the outset around three strike carriers could instead justify CATOBAR, its specialized air groups, and an indigenous or partnered catapult program. The French example also shows that a single CATOBAR carrier can depend heavily on allied training facilities despite claims of autonomy.