Sixty-one years passed between the launching on HMS Hermes, the previous RN carrier with the primary role of carrying fixed wing aircraft, and the 'launch' of HMS Queen Elizabeth. She went from commisioning to first effective deployment in far less time than USS Gerald R Ford.
I ask what is the point of pre-sailing checks unless they are meant to reveal any hidden defects. The swap for her sister ship is no big issue, unlike IMO, if this had been PoW in a year's time when QE would be in refit and not available, highlighting once again the need for a third carrier to support a genuine carrier strike capability. Same applies to our current temporary lack of LPD capability but even in the sixties the response the lessons from Suez of the lack of a dedicated amphibious assault capability was probably limited by available funds and the abiding belief that we get to choose our conflicts.
Personally, I think the idea that had the carriers not been bought the money would have remained in the Defence Budget never mind the Navy Command TLB is risible. Probably if three had been intended we would have ended up with two or none.
Last edited by SLXOwft; 4th Feb 2024 at 15:31.
Reason: correcting typos