American and Japanese carriers operating in the Pacific had their home industrial bases on that ocean. Britain's plans began with Singapore as a theatre-entry base, with temporary bases to be established farther along the Chinese coast. Support in Australia would require investment, and facilities in India still left the fleet far from Britain's main naval industry and research establishments. Major repairs could therefore mean a long voyage back to Britain.
Notable Point · 10:20-11:53
Why Pacific repairs were harder for British carriers
Britain's Pacific plans depended on distant and developing support bases while most of its naval industry remained in Britain.