The quote comes direct from the MoD and I think is referring to FSTA, which is all well and good in an operation such as Libya or the Balkans, but when you are over a thousand miles away from a friendly base, things can get a little more challenging. The whole point of having a carrier group is that it will be self sufficient, without being an a leash to shore based tankers or ISTAR (UAVs) Notwithstanding that, low endurance can be mitigated by a higher sortie rate although reach will always be less without AAR.