Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:12:33-2:13:09

Would Centaurs have replaced the earlier light fleet carriers?

A Centaur replacement programme was possible, while Audacious and Malta fleet carriers remained the intended long-term priority.

Audacious Class Aircraft CarriersCentaur Class Aircraft CarriersColossus Class Aircraft CarriersMajestic Class Aircraft CarriersMalta Class Aircraft CarriersNaval ProcurementRoyal Navy
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

Was the Royal Navy's long-term plan for eight Centaurs to replace the ten Colossus and six Majestic light fleet carriers?

Short answer

Possibly, but the intended long-term force centred on Audacious and Malta fleet carriers; reliance on light fleet carriers followed the circumstances at the war's end.

Notes

The Centaurs could have replaced Colossus- and Majestic-class ships because they were more capable. That possibility was secondary to the intended fleet-carrier programme. The Audacious and Malta classes were meant to provide the Royal Navy's long-term carrier force. Light fleet carriers assumed a larger lasting role because of the war's end and the circumstances that followed.