An LHD combines a dock, flexible vehicle and stores deck, accommodation, hangar, and flight deck in one hull. Paired with a Bay-class successor, a Canberra-sized ship could carry roughly a third to half of a modern brigade, including artillery and manoeuvre elements. Three LHDs would give the force reciprocal cover: one could operate a limited F-35B strike group when a carrier was unavailable, while a Queen Elizabeth-class carrier could assume part of the aviation and troop role if extra dock landing ships covered the missing dock capacity. The LHD is suited to many lesser threats, while a peer opponent with modern missiles calls for the greater capability of a strike carrier.
Chapter · 12:10-17:09
Canberra-class ships as amphibious and aviation insurance
Three Canberra-class-sized landing helicopter docks would combine dock, stores, accommodation, hangar, and flight deck capacity while providing limited back-up for a carrier or amphibious ship in refit.