Aircraft carriers would have to provide more of the patrol coverage along the fleet's passage to Australia. Shore-based aircraft from Singapore and Ceylon could protect substantial parts of the Indian Ocean route against individual raiders and submarines. Where that cover was unavailable, the fleet would need its own aircraft. This requirement could influence British positions at the 1930 and 1936 London Naval Treaties. A decision intended to save money on base construction could therefore generate greater expenditure on the fleet.
Notable Point · 1:14:38-1:16:04
Carriers would cover more of the passage to Australia
Reduced access to shore-based patrols would make carriers more important and affect treaty-era procurement.