Why CVA-01 was Britain's nuclear-carrier opportunity

Should the Royal Navy have built nuclear-powered fleet carriers during the Cold War?

Yes; CVA-01 was the practical opportunity, but the government prioritized cost savings and nuclear submarines while retaining familiar oil-fired carrier propulsion.

A somewhat smaller counterpart to the first American nuclear carriers deserved serious consideration within the CVA-01 project. Britain already operated nuclear submarines and possessed relevant propulsion experience, yet ministers treated nuclear power as an added carrier cost while viewing submarines as the more important future investment. Oil-fired carriers were familiar and appeared cheaper in the immediate budget. This saved money in the short term while surrendering a valuable long-term capability, making CVA-01 the clearest missed opening for a British nuclear-powered carrier.