The Queen Elizabeth class is judged sufficient for Britain's likely operational missions. A separate deterrence argument favours a larger carrier able to carry sixty or seventy-two aircraft, potentially with catapults, arresting gear, and nuclear propulsion. Whether that additional capability would justify the greater procurement cost is left as a judgment call. Another criticism concerns the cost of structuring the programme to delay entry into service. The estimate offered is that Britain paid roughly three and a half carriers' worth for two delivered ships. An alternative would have been to obtain three and keep one in ordinary, although the comparative value of that choice remains open.
Notable Point · 49:36-50:52
Queen Elizabeth carriers: operational adequacy and deterrent value
The case for larger carriers depends on whether extra deterrent value justifies the cost, alongside a separate question about buying three hulls and keeping one in reserve.