Most medium powers cannot afford distinct carrier and amphibious fixed-wing fleets. France's CATOBAR carrier and helicopter-only Mistrals illustrate how separate aviation systems cannot readily substitute for one another. Italy's shared STOVL approach allows carrier and LHD aircraft to reinforce or replace each other when a hull is unavailable. A comparable British carrier-LHD mix would preserve more usable decks and create lily-pad options for refueling and rearming combat air patrols.
Notable Point · 2:22:48-2:26:45
A common STOVL fleet multiplies usable flight decks
Common STOVL aircraft let carriers and LHDs reinforce, substitute for, and refuel one another in ways separate CATOBAR fleets cannot.