Why air-group logistics argue against adding the Osprey

Should the Royal Navy buy the V-22 Osprey for its aircraft carriers?

Not yet. The Osprey is useful, but adding another permanent aircraft type would complicate spares, maintenance, and storage unless a future tiltrotor replaces an existing type such as Merlin.

The Osprey is an important first-generation tiltrotor, though adding it to the Royal Navy's current carrier air group would create logistical costs. Queen Elizabeth-class logistics are already organized chiefly around F-35Bs and Merlin helicopters. A third permanent aircraft type would require its own spares and support equipment within finite storage space, reducing the depth available for the existing types. A future tiltrotor or coaxial design could replace Merlin, but introducing a small additional fleet is less attractive than standardizing the air group.