Originally Posted by
Surplus
But we've got our aircraft equipped carriers to provide CAP- er, hang on...
Why would you need a constant sea-based CAP? Isn't it the point that things have moved on? A type 45 gives you early warning and a first line surface to air layer, ashore you have FS3 Rapier (to be replaced by CAMM -L) and a well-found airbase with Typhoon. Not to mention what you can stuff out of submarine's launch tube nowadays.