Why does Britain not prioritize a second large drydock for the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers?
Short answerBecause long-term support infrastructure is essential but politically unglamorous and unlikely to win immediate votes.
NotesThe shortage of suitable large docks is a real readiness risk for Britain's carriers. The Royal Navy's older large floating docks were probably sold or scrapped, and a second permanent graving dock should take priority over another floating one. The obstacle is the politics of infrastructure spending. A drydock is essential over decades, yet it lacks the visibility of a new combat platform and rarely produces an immediate electoral reward. Support infrastructure can remain a single point of failure even when policymakers understand its value.