Navy expected to get jump jet fleet 17.04.12
6Downing Street sources have indicated the government could be only weeks away from a u-turn over the type of fighter aircraft it's planning buy to equip the Navy's new aircraft carriers.
Eighteen months ago the Defence Review scrapped Labour's intention to buy more expensive jump-jet versions of the Joint Strike Fighter in favour of a cheaper conventional take off variant.
But after the costs of converting the carriers rocketed, Number 10 is poised for an about turn with an announcement expected next month.
The Government is expected to cite saving money for any decision it takes -- the cat and trap conversion of the aircraft carriers would have cost between one and two billion pounds extra and delayed their delivery.
Reverting to the F35B version of the Joint Strike Fighter will come against a background of mounting pressure from defence chiefs who need the capability as soon as possible. But opting for the B version is not without other costs. It means sacrificing the ability to cross-deck -- operating British aircraft from French and American flat-tops and vice versa.
In a statement the MOD said: "The intention to move to a 'cats and traps' based carrier strike capability was always subject to a detailed piece of work to assess the costs and risks involved in converting a Queen Elizabeth Class carrier and that work is ongoing. The Defence Secretary will announce the outcome of this process to Parliament in due course."