When Royal Navy procurement last had real momentum

When was the Royal Navy's last good procurement period?

The late 1960s buildup toward CVA-01, followed by a long decline that recent construction has only begun to slow.

The late 1960s program that led toward CVA-01 is identified as the Royal Navy's last genuinely strong procurement period. Later policy amounted to a long decline rather than a sequence of complete renewals. Recent orders have improved the position by putting more hulls into construction, but they have not restored the fleet size implied by its commitments. The eight Type 26 frigates illustrate the gap between a welcome program and the larger escort force considered necessary.