The contemporary debate about the value of the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers is called unproductive because the ships cannot now be unbuilt. The short passage does not enumerate the alternatives, though it says more sensible options remain available. Time spent relitigating an irreversible procurement decision can crowd out practical choices that are still open. The argument concerns the opportunity cost of policy discussion rather than a new technical assessment of the carriers.
Notable Point · 36:18-36:48
Why relitigating the Queen Elizabeth-class decision can waste effort
Once the carriers exist, an argument about whether Britain should have built them can distract from choices that still improve the force.