How Malta-class carriers would move the Falklands air battle

How would Malta-class carriers change the Falklands campaign if Argentina still invaded?

They would move interceptions far west of the islands and provide British forces with continuous airborne early warning, fighter cover, and responsive strike support.

Two Malta-class carriers would add far more than extra aircraft numbers to the Falklands campaign. Phantoms and Hawkeyes could detect and intercept Argentine raids roughly fifty to one hundred miles west of the islands, moving the air battle away from the fleet and landing force. Night-capable aircraft would extend pressure beyond daylight hours. British ground units would also gain on-call air support able to strike positions beyond the immediate reach of artillery. Goose Green illustrates how responsive carrier aviation might change tactical decisions on land as well as losses at sea.