A limit on carrier numbers changes the argument about ship size. The account describes a government decision allowing two carriers, based on a BAE study that judged two hulls sufficient to keep one available. The Royal Navy responded by seeking as much capability as possible in each permitted ship. Under that restriction, choosing smaller carriers would reduce the capability of the two ships without securing permission to buy more.
Notable Point · 19:05-19:47
How a two-carrier limit encouraged larger ships
A fixed allowance of two carriers encouraged the Royal Navy to maximise the capability of each hull.