Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:01:15-4:03:54

If Argentina had bought HMS Hermes in 1968

An Argentine purchase of Hermes only makes strategic sense if Britain is already receiving CVA-01 or another replacement, and that replacement path determines the later Falklands balance.

Argentine NavyCVA-01Falklands WarHMS HermesInvincible Class Aircraft Carriers
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Question

What if Argentina bought HMS Hermes in 1968, and how would that affect the Royal Navy and Falklands War?

Short answer

Without a British replacement the sale is damaging, but a CVA-01 or larger Invincible programme could leave Britain with newer carriers while Argentina operates a modified Hermes.

Notes

Keeping the rest of history unchanged while selling Hermes would leave Britain with an operational carrier gap. A plausible sale therefore depends on replacement carriers already being on the way. CVA-01 is one route, while a late-1960s transition design could lead to 28,000-ton Invincibles retaining Sea Dart and operating Harriers. That could put larger, newer carriers in service for the Falklands War. Argentine Skyhawks might operate from Hermes after modification, while the carrier itself could become a target for a British nuclear-powered attack submarine.