Q&A · 2:37:53-2:38:40

Completed Lions and Malta carriers could survive into the Falklands era

A fleet containing completed Lion battleships and Malta carriers might keep some large ships in service or reserve much longer than the historical Royal Navy did.

Question

Could completed Lion-class battleships or Malta-class carriers survive into the Falklands War era?

Short answer

Possibly: their availability could keep some ships in reserve or service much longer, though the result depends on later policy and modernization.

Notes

If all six Lion-class battleships and the Malta-class carriers are completed, the postwar fleet begins from a very different position. Malta's size, compared here with the Midway class, could keep the carriers useful for longer and remove the historical need for a Victorious rebuild. Some Lions might remain in reserve rather than every battleship disappearing from the fleet. If the Maltas and all six Lions are completed, some Lions would probably still be in reserve around the Falklands War era in this scenario.