British orders after treaty restrictions weakened expressed carrier doctrine through procurement. The four Illustrious-class carriers broadly accompanied the five King George V-class battleships. Unicorn supported the carrier force as Vanguard entered the capital-ship programme, and the two Implacable-class carriers appeared alongside the first Lion-class battleships. Further ships of both types were contemplated. This balance treated aircraft as the source of reconnaissance, air defence, and striking reach while heavy ships retained dependable surface combat power.
Notable Point · 48:16-49:28
Britain paired carrier and capital-ship procurement
The Royal Navy's late-1930s building programme treated carriers and capital ships as paired fleet capabilities rather than rival alternatives.