Originally Posted by
Cows getting bigger
Aircraft carriers carry aircraft to defend the carrier which needs defending because it carries aircraft which defend the .........
(Yes, I know it's old school but how much of the UK's future carrier capability is still a self-licking lollipop?)
Arguably much less of a self licking ice cream than a fleet composed solely of frigates and destroyers, given that it has much more potential to deliver real military effect. The question of course is how far UK politicians are interested in enabling the asset to fulfil its potential. There's just a glimmer of a chance that the SDSR will look at that.
Re OP, I tend to agree with those who think it's less of an issue than it is a good tabloid headline.