What would the Cold War Royal Navy look like if Britain pursued strategic autonomy after Suez?
Short answerIt would be much larger, centered on CVA-01, Type 82, and amphibious forces, with NATO commitments shaped around naval and air reach rather than a dominant continental army.
NotesStrategic autonomy means retaining the ability to act worldwide without assuming that allied forces will supply missing naval and air capabilities. CVA-01 carriers, Type 82 destroyers, and substantial amphibious transport would therefore be likely to survive into service. Britain might remain in NATO, but it would be more selective about committing the bulk of its army to Germany. The resulting force structure would prioritize the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force because an island power needs them to reach and sustain distant operations.