Could the UK have done a better job of maintaining carrier based air power?

[Pioneer]

Even in failure, had 3 carriers been available then they'd have proved more useful than V-Bombers out of Cyprus.

Interesting Zen.
Sorry, I detract, but I've always been somewhat sceptical of the likes of British and French single purpose nuclear deterrent platforms like dedicated bombers, MRBM and later SSBN's, especially when obe appreciates the money and resources that go into them.........

Regards
Pioneer

 

[zen]

Interesting Zen.
Sorry, I detract, but I've always been somewhat sceptical of the likes of British and French single purpose nuclear deterrent platforms like dedicated bombers, MRBM and later SSBN's, especially when obe appreciates the money and resources that go into them.........

Regards
Pioneer

I will certainly agree the carriers provide flexibility and in context more rapid adaptability.

 

[Archibald]

France developped a carrier nuclear strike capability the cheapest way. Borrowing the AN-52 then ASMP from the AdA and strapping them to Super Etendards. Wasn't a Vigilante by any mean but added flexibility to Force de frappe.

 

[Rule of cool]

While South East Asia as an area of interest for Western powers pretty ended by the early-mid 70s by the end f the 70s South West Asia was starting to become important, with the Iran-Iraq War and Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. Despite ostensibly withdrawing from the region in 1971 in 1980 the Royal Navy established the Armilla Patrol of 2 or 3 surface warships in the Persian Gulf, this remained on station for decades. IIRC at about the same time the USN established a presence in the Indian Ocean, which is a reason why Reagan wanted to boost the USN from 12 to 15 carriers.

Should the RN have retained a significant carrier capability into the 80s would it have provided a presence in the Indian Ocean to assist the USN carrier rotation?

 

[Scott Kenny]

Should the RN have retained a significant carrier capability into the 80s would it have provided a presence in the Indian Ocean to assist the USN carrier rotation?

I don't think so, except maybe taking one of the US rotations.

Remember, even with 12 carriers in the fleet, the US only had 4 deployed at a time normally. Desert Storm surged the 4 that were in workups out to sea earlier than planned.

 

[Rule of cool]

I don't think so, except maybe taking one of the US rotations.

Remember, even with 12 carriers in the fleet, the US only had 4 deployed at a time normally. Desert Storm surged the 4 that were in workups out to sea earlier than planned.

Yes, adding 3 allowed 1 to be deployed to the IO. However until that happened the US could work something out with the RN to have periodic visits to the IO.

Interestingly enough the final deployment of the RANs carrier Melbourne was to the Indian Ocean in 1980. This was the first time the Melbourne had spent any time in the IO.

 

[aim9xray]

... Adm Rickenbaker, supported by the ultimate paymaster ...

For confused USians, that would be Adm Hymen Rickover. We return you to the thread currently in progress.