The argument rejects sacrificing aircraft carriers simply because other British forces also lack funds. Criticism of specific procurement choices does not amount to a case for discarding the capability. A slower transition from Harrier to F-35 could have preserved more aviation capacity while the new aircraft entered service. Force-structure choices have to be judged across the whole defence system, since transferring money can shift a shortage from one service to another.
Notable Point · 43:48-45:58
Carriers and the danger of robbing one service
A discussion of British defence spending argues that underfunded services should not compete by stripping each other's essential capabilities.