Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 29:16-30:04

Modernizing an old carrier versus building Malta

A Malta-class carrier would be superior, but upgrading an existing hull required far less scarce yard time and could even be sent overseas.

Carrier ModernisationMalta Class Aircraft CarriersNaval ProcurementNaval ShipbuildingShipyards
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Question

Why modernize Courageous or Glorious instead of building a Malta-class carrier?

Short answer

Malta would be better, but an upgrade used much less scarce yard capacity and returned a carrier to service far sooner.

Notes

A new Malta would offer much greater capability than a rebuilt Courageous-class carrier. The wartime constraint is the large slip and roughly two-year construction commitment required for a new fleet carrier. A shorter modernization and fitting-out period could be accommodated by more yards. An old carrier might also be sent to the United States or another overseas yard, spreading the industrial burden.