How useful would HMS Vanguard have been in the Falklands War?
Short answerHer gunfire and anti-aircraft armament could be powerful, but Britain would still face real crewing and activation constraints.
NotesIn this counterfactual, Vanguard is especially useful for naval gunfire support, with a powerful psychological and tactical effect near Goose Green. Her anti-aircraft guns could also help in San Carlos, and her presence would alter the calculus around Argentine surface forces. Crewing remained a decisive constraint: the Royal Navy lacked enough personnel even to reactivate HMS Belfast.