Duffy challenges Invincible's split mission between anti-submarine command and fleet air defence. A nominal force of five Sea Harriers could leave only two immediately available after maintenance and standby requirements, which looked inadequate against saturation attack. He also asks whether three carriers could cover refits, detached deployments, and global commitments, and whether more hulls were required. Sea Dart and Sea Wolf supplied outer defensive layers, but he identified the absence of a last-ditch gun system if missiles penetrated them. The warning is striking in hindsight: the demand for Phalanx, Goalkeeper, or a similar close-in weapon came nearly two years before the Falklands War.
Chapter · 1:06:19-1:12:50
Invincible's divided role and missing close defense
The debate questions whether Invincible could combine ASW command and fleet air defense with too few Sea Harriers and no last-ditch gun system.