How would building the Malta and Neptune classes affect the Royal Navy?
Short answerThey would sustain a large carrier force and cruiser leadership role deep into the Cold War, likely supporting construction of the Type 82 escorts.
NotesMalta-class carriers could remain the core of British carrier power until replacements were designed in the 1980s or 1990s. The large Neptune cruisers might serve into the 1970s or even 1980s as escort leaders. Their eventual replacement requirement would encourage a large command-and-air-defense ship, strengthening the case for the Type 82 program. The resulting fleet would preserve a continuous large-carrier and task-group leadership structure.