Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:14:28-1:16:10

A Royal Navy for Atlantic lanes and Soviet bastions

The mission demands more attack submarines, full carrier groups, and a divisional amphibious force able to support operations through Norway toward the Soviet north.

Attack SubmarinesCold WarCVA-01NorwayRoyal NavySoviet Naval Bastions
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Question

What would an effective 1980s Royal Navy look like if it had to protect British sea lanes and break into Soviet SSBN bastions?

Short answer

More SSNs, complete carrier task groups, and a strong Norwegian amphibious commitment would support the two missions.

Notes

Protecting Atlantic reinforcement while threatening Soviet ballistic-missile submarine bastions requires forces for both sea control and offensive penetration. The proposed force contains many more nuclear attack submarines and CVA-01 or Malta-sized carriers with layered Type 82, Type 42, and Type 22 escorts. The suggested group has about three Type 82s or equivalents, three Type 42s, and at least six Type 22s around each carrier. A strong amphibious formation would also be needed in Norway so surface and air forces could operate toward the White Sea without leaving the land flank exposed. A large missile-and-gun cruiser might emerge, but the carrier groups and submarines remain the central capabilities.