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The title is not as some may groan, another of my rants about the RN CV programme.
On the contrary I am keen to read the pro carrier arguments.
While the United States is able to deploy both carriers and submarines in reasonable numbers, smaller navies find it much harder.
Back in 1966 the UK took a decision to cancel its large carrier CVA01 and focus instead on the hunter killer nuclear submarine as its capital ship.
In contrast France continued to operate two carriers and to build a nuclear powered carrier to replace them.
While the RN evolved through four generations of SSN in Dreadnought, Valiant, Swiftsure and Trafalgar classes, France limited itself to four Rubis boats during the Cold War years.
Russia tries in vain to keep the Kuznetzov in service but ita new nuclear submarines are once again the main threat to western navies.
China on the other hand has so far not had access to Russian technology to deploy modern nuclear submarines but is hard at wotk learning how to use aircraft carriers. Like Britain in 1963 it will soon have a four carrier force operating fixed wing jets.
Britain it could be argued has come through the painful years. If money continues to be found, the RN will have a credible carrier task group with a second available on some occasions plus an SSN force able to tackle all potential opponents.
So what do you think?
On the contrary I am keen to read the pro carrier arguments.
While the United States is able to deploy both carriers and submarines in reasonable numbers, smaller navies find it much harder.
Back in 1966 the UK took a decision to cancel its large carrier CVA01 and focus instead on the hunter killer nuclear submarine as its capital ship.
In contrast France continued to operate two carriers and to build a nuclear powered carrier to replace them.
While the RN evolved through four generations of SSN in Dreadnought, Valiant, Swiftsure and Trafalgar classes, France limited itself to four Rubis boats during the Cold War years.
Russia tries in vain to keep the Kuznetzov in service but ita new nuclear submarines are once again the main threat to western navies.
China on the other hand has so far not had access to Russian technology to deploy modern nuclear submarines but is hard at wotk learning how to use aircraft carriers. Like Britain in 1963 it will soon have a four carrier force operating fixed wing jets.
Britain it could be argued has come through the painful years. If money continues to be found, the RN will have a credible carrier task group with a second available on some occasions plus an SSN force able to tackle all potential opponents.
So what do you think?
