Q&A · 2:18:38-2:20:11

A Royal Navy built around Malta carriers and Neptune cruisers

Completed Malta carriers and Neptune cruisers would anchor the postwar fleet for decades and make the Type 82 a natural successor as a carrier-group command escort.

Question

How would building the Malta and Neptune classes affect the Royal Navy?

Short answer

They would sustain a large carrier force and cruiser leadership role deep into the Cold War, likely supporting construction of the Type 82 escorts.

Notes

Malta-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.