Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:03:31-2:04:40

A Falklands War without the Invincible class

If Britain had sold the Invincible-class carriers, Hermes would carry the air campaign and the war would trigger an emergency carrier program.

Aircraft CarriersFalklands WarNaval ProcurementRoyal Navy
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Question

If Britain had sold the Invincible-class carriers, could submarines have forced Argentina to return the Falkland Islands?

Short answer

Submarines could help, but Hermes would still be needed for air cover, followed by a crash program to build several replacement carriers.

Notes

The answer sees submarines as useful but insufficient because retaking the islands still requires air cover for the landing force. Hermes would become indispensable, and her success would expose the danger of having sold the newer carriers. It expects an urgent postwar program for three or four larger Sea Harrier carriers, analogous to the emergency Type 22 frigate response to wartime losses.