Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 5:41:35-5:42:05

How the Royal Navy sustains a global carrier deployment

A global carrier deployment remains worthwhile, while Royal Fleet Auxiliary port visits and the legacy of earlier shipbuilding choices limit claims of independence from shore support.

Carrier Strike GroupsNaval LogisticsQueen Elizabeth Class Aircraft CarriersRoyal Fleet Auxiliary
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Question

What is the value of sending a Royal Navy carrier strike group around the world, and does it still need ports?

Short answer

Sending the carrier group is supported, but the Royal Fleet Auxiliary still uses ports and earlier shipbuilding choices remain a concern.

Notes

A worldwide carrier deployment is supported, but the force still depends on ports. Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships enter them to sustain the group. The concern is that British ship construction during the 1990s and 2000s was too shortsighted to provide the fleet now wanted.