Carrier prestige and power projection were only part of their value. A Dominion carrier served as a local aviation hub that could operate in its own region and join a larger British, American, NATO, or other allied force. Its aviation group supplied a scarce capability even without an independent global logistics system. An ally could also contribute logistics, though that capability was harder to sell. This made a medium power more useful to an alliance and gave its fleet influence beyond its size.
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Why middle powers operated Commonwealth carriers
Melbourne and Bonaventure gave Australia and Canada regional carrier forces that could join a wider Royal Navy or allied formation.