'If the Air force is buying F-35A's that doesnt have any effect on what the Navy are purchasing (unless the Air Force purchase is funded by taking money from the Navy). So it really is two separate Topics here...'
Not true, it's referred to as Joint Force Lightning, the aircraft are run as one big pool with one organisation dealing with all aspects of their operation. As such MoD is buying 138 aircraft some will be in RAF numbered squadrons and some in RN numbered ones and may move freely between the two. So more F-35As means less F-35Bs.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
