Why Indomitable probably saves Force Z from the air attack

Indomitable's combat air patrol could intercept the Japanese aircraft shadowing Force Z, making the ships harder to locate. Once a raid was detected, successive fighter groups could attack the unescorted bombers before heavy AA opened fire. Fulmars would disrupt the formation while faster Sea Hurricanes concentrated on the torpedo bombers posing the most immediate danger. Some attackers could still get through, but disrupted formations would struggle to deliver enough coordinated torpedo attacks to overwhelm Repulse and Indomitable. Severe losses among Japan's highly trained anti-shipping aircrews would also weaken the air force available for later operations.