What countries [other than the US/Brits/French] are building or using aircraft carriers, and why?
Japan is building a class of "through deck-cruiser", South Korea is building LHDs and is rumoured to be intrested in CVs (of sorts), Red China has been showing an intrest in carriers for over a decade, and the Dutch are looking at possably replacing their elder AOR (Zuidrcruis?) with an LHD. I think Kirkhill got the rest.
For example, I see in Janes NFNB this week that Italy has launched the second Cavour class carrier.
Cavour is the sole ship of that class, the Italians other carrier (if you wish to call it that), the Garibaldi, is close to twenty years old and half the size of the Cavour.
Why do countires like Italy need carriers like that when, for example, Germany doesn't.
It's all politics......a more ap- question, based on their economy and their "status" in the world, is why don't the Germans have a Carrier......
WRT Italy, they see themselves (and I agree) as a "world player", and are more then willing to pay the cost finically to do so. A navy is one of, if not the best tool to implement ones foreign policy with, and the extra capabilities afforded to a navy with an aircraft carrier are stark when compared to a navy without.
What aircraft are being carried, and in what numbers?
Do you mean Italy's carrier? If so, basically the same as that of Garibaldi: Harriers/EH-101/NH-90/Sea Kings/Twin Huey's/Mangustas and JSF when delivered (not on Garibaldi)
Will the proposed Australian LHD's be capable of carrying supporting the VTOL version of the JSF?
It's a rather muddy answer since they may not infact get built, it all depends on their election and if Howard gets booted........With that said, AFAIK the Australians are looking at the Spanish design (JSF capable) and a French design (I doubt to be JSF capable)........now RAAF purchasing the F-35B is another question.
Why does Spain have a carrier for its marine amphib. forces, yet the NL do not?
Their current carrier, Principe de Asturias, was infact designed to be a light carrier (based on a American design from the 70s) and has only minor (if any) phib capabilities. Mind you, they are currently building an LHD for their Marines, which can double as a light carrier when needed (same one the Aussies are looking at).