British yards could build export carriers

Could British infrastructure build export carriers for Australia or Canada alongside the ships already on order?

Yes. British capacity was not considered fully occupied, and dormant or underused yards could support a carrier or absorb other work to free the largest construction facilities.

British shipbuilding infrastructure was not considered fully occupied. Large Babcock facilities associated with the Queen Elizabeth-class programme had no comparable hull then occupying them, while Portsmouth could be reactivated or used to fabricate sections. Moving Type 31 work or modules between yards could also release capacity if additional Type 26 export orders arrived. Foreign orders would require workforce and allocation decisions, but they could help sustain and expand the industrial base rather than merely compete with Royal Navy construction.