[IronDuke99]

Well if you are talking about RN Aircraft Carriers facing off against a near peer I don't see it as all that likely, without allies.

The only, non allied, near peers to UK in terms of technology/military I can think of are Russia and China. Things would have to be a bit on the bleak side for UK to be facing either of those nations on her lonesome...

Anyone other than those two, and British Allies like the USA, Australia, France, etc, F-35B, from about 2021-22 onwards, as a carrier CAP fighter probably could deal with.

The likes of India, probably? But India is actually drawing closer to the West/UK with both the RAF and the Royal Marines doing joint exercises with Indian forces recently. Hardly surprising with China expanding her navy and becoming more and more pushy at sea.

So, while F-35B is not a ideal carrier fighter I think it will, in due course, probably be able to defend a RN Task force against any threat it is likely to face.

Remember in a serious war situation a RN Carrier Task force would most likely include two Type 45 Air Defence Destroyers, three-four Type 23 ASW Frigates and a Astute class nuclear hunter killer submarine with cruise missiles. Not too many nations would really wish to tangle with that in a air-sea fight.