Q&A · 2:56:18-2:56:43

Could a multinational carrier group support the Queen Elizabeth class?

An ambitious multinational carrier group depended on future Type 83 destroyers and more Astute-class submarines than the available force could easily provide.

Question

Would a multinational group built around a Queen Elizabeth-class carrier, a Wasp-class ship, and future Type 83 destroyers be feasible?

Short answer

It would be a powerful group, but Type 83 had not yet been designed and the proposal required too many Astute-class submarines.

Notes

A multinational group centered on a Queen Elizabeth-class carrier and a Wasp-class amphibious ship would be formidable on paper. Future Type 83 destroyers could strengthen such a formation once they existed. In February 2022, however, Type 83 had not been designed or laid down. The proposed allocation also demanded more Astute-class submarines than the available force could readily support.