They don’t seem very reliable, and we have to ask, do we really need them. Some notes and links …
Where would we use them? The other obvious answer is in the South Atlantic, but would we get permission from the US to use the F-35s. Further developments since this was originally written suggest that the NATO Northern flank defences will be led by the UK and also that the security of the Norwegian Sea and Denmark Strait might be led by the UK and that a carrier group would be important in this work. 26/7/2026
We need to ask if they’re up to the jobs.
They have no anti-missile missiles, Simon claims the Navy has no air defence destroyers, no catapults which restricts the choice of aircraft, their range and payload. The aircraft are 90% US owned and the UK doesn’t have enough F35s to equip both ships and the RAF. NB The French use a complement of Dassault Rafale M and E-2C Hawkeye aircraft (AEW), AS365F Dauphin Pedro, EC725 Caracal and AS532 Cougar helicopters for combat search and rescue.
The F35’s are optimised for carrier operations and may not be what the RAF requires for either air-superiority or ground attack as there are numerous versions, each with different optimisations. There is a security of supply issue with the F35s.
I add that the Daring class destroyer, of which there are six, is designed as an area air defence ship, their operational status is unclear. 15/5/2024. I checked again, I’d say that two of six are available today. 26/7/2026.
Check out this, RAND report on the aircraft carriers … 75% of cost is post launch.
The comments on the youtube video defend the reliability record of the carriers, and the choice of F35Bs. Although on reliability, it might suggest we don;t have enough, as it’s common to plan for one on station, one or two on the way in and/or out and one in the dock.
The stories about reliability have failed to go-away. I asked google gemini, which identified the propulsion system as the most serious source of failure; I also asked if there had been periods where neither was available, GG identified two periods, from late 2024 to early 2026. The QE had to withdraw from an exercise and also failed again during the POW maintenance work on the latter’s return from the far east.
Another problem with only having two carriers is that if one is a long way from where its needed, it’ll take a long time to get there. What was the POW doing in the far east in terms of meeting Britain’s defence priorities.
Image Credit: By Petty Officer Photographer Jay Allen – via wikipedia – OGL 3
I added some comments on availability, reliability and the need for the Type 45s. I briefly spoke of the impact of location on such a small fleet.