Dry-dock capacity and fleet availability

Insufficient dry-dock capacity can keep ships unavailable long after the decision to buy them. Dedicated provision for aircraft carriers and the strategic deterrent gives those forces more predictable access, while the rest of the fleet relies on pooled facilities. Long-promised floating docks illustrate the consequences of postponing submarine support infrastructure. Overseas docks offer a limited substitute when few can accept nuclear submarines and sensitive maintenance creates further objections. Plans based on foreign facilities therefore depend on checking both technical compatibility and willingness to use them.