Q&A · 21:09-22:02

Why Falklands liners did not become landing ships

A proposed Falklands-era conversion foundered on the practical mismatch between available liners, davits, and landing craft.

Question

Did the postwar Royal Navy pursue liners or purpose-built ships readily convertible into large infantry landing ships?

Short answer

Not as a continuing program; even the Falklands liner idea was constrained by too few suitable craft and incompatible handling arrangements.

Notes

The Royal Navy did not sustain a major postwar program of easily convertible LSI(L)-type ships. During the Falklands War, planners considered replacing lifeboats on Canberra and Queen Elizabeth 2 with assault craft. Suitable landing craft were scarce. The available types also did not fit the liners' davits, so the conversion was dropped.