A revised version of the replacement plan proposes four nuclear-powered carriers and considers how the Royal Marines would operate alongside them. Building Fearless-class landing ships with more helicopter capacity could spread amphibious aviation across the force and help justify a third LPD. Carrier protection would make reinforcement of northern Norway more secure and increase the usefulness of the landing force. The fourth carrier could carry a helicopter-heavy air group while retaining fighters and Hawkeyes for air defence. Its dedicated strike aircraft would move to the other carriers, preserving a distinction between defensive and strike air groups that still mattered in the 1980s.
Notable Point · 1:34:02-1:36:07
A defensive carrier for reinforcing northern Norway
A helicopter-heavy carrier with fighters and Hawkeyes could protect amphibious movement, while a larger Fearless force carried the Royal Marines.