An American-football analogy explains the relationship between headline ships and support: a quarterback needs an offensive line long enough to act. The five-ship core consists of two Queen Elizabeth-class strike carriers and three large amphibious ships. Escorts and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary provide the fuel, stores, protection, and troop movement that let those ships operate far from Britain. Global reach comes from the whole force, with each category built around what the carriers and amphibious ships must do.
Chapter · 8:26-10:23
A five-ship core for global reach
The proposed fleet is built around two strike carriers and three large amphibious ships, with logistics and escorts treated as the means that make distant power useful.