Q&A · 2:16:47-2:18:12

Could the Royal Navy conduct Operation Praying Mantis?

Britain could have mounted a comparable strike, but the result would depend heavily on its available carrier and Sea Harrier force and would not surpass the US Navy's execution.

Question

Could the Royal Navy have carried out Operation Praying Mantis more efficiently than the United States Navy?

Short answer

It could probably conduct a comparable operation if a carrier and Sea Harriers were available, but it would not be more efficient than the larger US force.

Notes

The Royal Navy possessed the professional skill and weapons needed to attack Iranian surface forces and offshore targets. Its smaller force structure, however, offered less margin than the American task groups used historically. Sea Harriers and the availability of a carrier would be central to air cover and strike coordination. Britain could conduct the operation, though less efficiently than the US Navy with Enterprise and its supporting forces.