Cost is the decisive reason more nations do not operate nuclear fleets, but the relevant question is what strategic benefit that spending buys. The Queen Elizabeth-class design process reflected a post-Cold War belief that future operations would be discretionary and peace would endure. Britain consequently built two carriers to replace Invincible, Ark Royal, Illustrious, Ocean, and Argus. The example shows that propulsion and fleet-size decisions depend on the strategic assumptions governments make when allocating scarce funds.
Chapter · 36:51-38:30
The strategic cost-benefit test for nuclear power
Nuclear propulsion must pass a mission-dependent cost-benefit test. The Queen Elizabeth class shows how optimistic strategy can shrink force structure.