Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 5:35:53-5:38:00

Malta-class carriers sustain larger Royal Navy flight decks

Completed Malta-class carriers would be refitted like the Midways and make later British retreat to small Invincible-class decks much less attractive.

Aircraft CarriersCVA-01Malta Class Aircraft CarriersMidway Class Aircraft CarriersRoyal Navy
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

Would completed Malta-class carriers be better for Britain than Midway and receive similarly long postwar refits?

Short answer

They would likely serve and modernize for decades, sustaining large-deck British carrier aviation and pressure for a full-size successor.

Notes

The Malta class is a British approach to the same broad carrier requirement addressed by the American Midways. Completed ships would probably receive repeated refits and remain in service for many years. Their larger decks would help the Royal Navy develop postwar carrier operations. Experience with those ships would also make a later move to the much smaller Invincible class less attractive. A full-size successor such as CVA-01 could consequently have a stronger case, with possible effects on Britain's carrier force during the Falklands War.