The escort fleet behind six Invincible-class carriers

How much larger would the Royal Navy need to be to support six Invincible-class carriers?

Six task groups imply roughly fourteen or fifteen Type 42 destroyers and eighteen to twenty-four frigates, plus a larger amphibious fleet and successor program.

Each carrier needs layered air-defense and general-purpose escorts, so the carrier count drives a much broader fleet. Six task groups imply roughly fourteen or fifteen Type 42 destroyers and eighteen to twenty-four frigates. A class that large would probably receive better amphibious accommodation and serve in both carrier and landing-platform roles. It would also encourage a larger landing-ship fleet around the carriers. The eventual replacement program would therefore need both full-size strike carriers and large amphibious aviation ships rather than merely replacing six isolated hulls.