Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:59:48-2:00:42

Dominion carriers still count against British treaty limits

Australia could operate scout carriers, but their tonnage would come from the combined British and Dominion allowance rather than creating extra treaty capacity.

Aircraft CarriersDominionsImperial DefenceRoyal Australian NavyWashington Naval Treaty
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Question

Could Australia receive its own scout carriers in this scenario?

Short answer

Possibly, but they would count against the combined British and Dominion treaty allowance and operate within the wider imperial naval system.

Notes

The naval treaties restrict the combined British imperial fleet, including ships operated by the Dominions. That prevents Britain from evading limits by transferring capital ships or carriers to Australia and claiming that they no longer count. Dominion ownership therefore becomes a question of allocation and employment within the shared allowance. One or two Australian carriers remain possible, but they would operate as part of the wider Royal Navy system and reduce the tonnage available elsewhere.