Which aspiring carrier powers might seriously consider CATOBAR even though they do not currently operate it?
Short answerMany may consider it, but CATOBAR is worthwhile only when its performance advantage fits the navy's wider deck fleet, aircraft commonality, costs, and strategy.
NotesCatapult launch and arrested recovery offer the strongest pure engineering solution, though technical performance is only one part of fleet strategy. Britain's former concept of two carriers and three LHDs using the same STOVL aircraft shows another way to use limited resources. Five aviation decks with a common aircraft could preserve a flying capability when a carrier was unavailable. For a medium power, the best launch system depends on the entire force, its amphibious ships, costs, and intended deployments.