Originally Posted by southside
These days we don't fight the kind of wars where our ships need defending from enemy warplanes far out at sea. Aircraft Carriers are now mostly supporting shore operations by flying strike missions and it makes far better sense to spend our money on Harriers which can do that best. If necessary, we can rely on coalition forces to provide the outer air defence for surface ships.
"These days....."
What about the days ahead? Shame to lose a capability without the replacement in hand.
"Relying on coalition forces....."
What if we don't agree with the fight you are in and don't provide forces? Happened once in the Falklands, unfortunately, why couldn't it happen again elsewhere?
How do explain to families of dead ships' crews that you threw away an asset that might have prevented their loss?
I say again, shame to lose a capability without the replacement in hand.