Long-range strike had merits of its own in this assessment. After it helped justify cancelling CVA-01, the proposed RAF capability was also cancelled, with incoming naval Buccaneers and Phantoms used as a reason that further aircraft were unnecessary. Both services consequently lost capabilities. The resulting policy concentrated on Germany and NATO while expecting allies, principally the United States, to protect British interests elsewhere. The savings depended on accepting that greater reliance.
Notable Point · 5:43-6:53
Cutting both carriers and their proposed alternative
The cancellation argument ends with both services losing capabilities and Britain relying more heavily on allies beyond Europe.