Originally Posted by
Shackman
So we spend squillions on new aircraft carriers which sit well off shore out of harms way, we then spend squillions more giving them an amphibious capability (cutting a big hole in them to fit landing craft?) which means they have to get in close to deploy said capability! What next - add bigger guns and make them battleships as well, or SAMs to add AD frigate capability, or perhaps submarines?
Or it could be a ruse to justify the UK getting Ospreys, fast transport of the troops ashore from the carrier out in the blue sea, COD for the carrier and a tanking facility for the F35Bs.
The thought of how much it would cost to put a well deck in a QEC does not bear thinking about.