Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:50:00-1:50:45

Three Audacious-class carriers and an Australian Hermes

Completing all three Audacious-class hulls in good condition would make a sustainable cycle of carrier operations and maintenance more plausible.

Aircraft CarriersAudacious Class Aircraft CarriersFleet ReadinessNaval ProcurementRoyal Australian NavyRoyal Navy
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Question

How would retaining all three Audacious-class hulls and selling Hermes to Australia instead of Melbourne affect the Royal Navy carrier fleet?

Short answer

Three sound Audacious-class carriers would improve the operating and maintenance cycle, but their continued service would still depend on government decisions.

Notes

Three full flight decks would let the Royal Navy cycle carriers through operations more effectively. More regular maintenance would extend the ships' useful lives and make the carrier force more viable. Those advantages would still face the problem of governments deciding whether to sustain the force.