Regional powers are distinguished from states able to project military influence worldwide, with fleet carriers treated as one marker of the latter category. Britain chose larger conventionally powered STOVL carriers that can visit a wider range of ports and support frequent presence missions. France chose a smaller single nuclear CATOBAR carrier optimized for heavier aircraft and the fullest version of conventional carrier aviation. Global-power status can rest on different design compromises involving operating flexibility, cost, aircraft performance, and availability.
Notable Point · 53:12-54:57
How carrier choices separate regional from global power
A comparison of French and British carriers explains how different propulsion and aviation choices can support distinct forms of global presence without making one design universally superior.