Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:43:06-1:44:43

Using CVA-01 infrastructure to lock in a carrier programme

The proposed protection for CVA-01 is an earlier start and visible investment in the infrastructure for a larger carrier.

Aircraft CarriersAlternate HistoryCVA-01Naval InfrastructureNaval ProcurementRoyal Navy
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Question

As defence chief between 1959 and 1965, how could Mountbatten protect vulnerable British programmes?

Short answer

The proposed priority is CVA-01, with the larger carrier design and early infrastructure spending intended to make cancellation politically painful.

Notes

The proposal for Mountbatten's 1959-65 tenure gives CVA-01 an earlier start. It selects the larger carrier design and brings forward the infrastructure needed to build it. Visible government investment would commit ministers before the ship was complete. Those commitments are intended to make cancellation politically painful and encourage the government to follow through.