The proposed substitution rests on timing and programme overlap rather than a claim that Britain did not need large carriers. Audacious-class construction and Malta-class planning occupied much the same late-war period. Because Audacious work was already being displaced or reconsidered as Malta developed, the programme could move directly to Malta hulls. In that counterfactual, the ships later completed as Eagle and Ark Royal begin from the larger Malta design. The procurement argument is that an intermediate class adds little when its intended successor is already taking shape.
Notable Point · 1:01:23-1:01:48
Replacing the Audacious programme with Malta-class carriers
One answer would standardize the late British fleet-carrier programme on the Malta class rather than build Audacious-class hulls first.