Originally Posted by
oldnotbold
The Carriers will be around about 5o years. Anyone who can tell what the threats will be over that length of time would need to be Mystic Meg.
It is true that the RN Carriers have a life of near 50 years but the RN has little record of keeping ships as long as 30 years. Many of its ships are sold on which may validate the 50 years claim.
The in-service life of aircraft has increased by decades with early jets lasting mere years and looking distinctly old after 10 years. Now with aircraft like the VC10 at over 40 years a 50-year life for a warship is certainly possible but will there be any appetite for a major costly refit in 20-30 years time or will they just go in to mothballs or disposal?