There has been a lot of controversy in recent months over the level of defence spending and whether all of our commitments and current equipment plans are affordable. Despite this, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is pressing on with some very big ticket purchases for the Royal Navy. Just this week, a further £80m of sub-contracts for the two giant aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales were placed. Around 40% of the value of the build of the two carriers is now committed and full-scale production is proceeding.
The carriers, which will be known as the Queen Elizabeth Class, are being constructed by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA) which consists of Thales UK, BAE Systems, BVT Surface Fleet, Babcock and the Ministry of Defence.
The carriers will each weigh 65,000 tonnes, be 280m long and 70m wide. A ship of this size is necessary to deliver the quantity of air power required. They will be capable of 25 knots and will have a total complement (with air group) of approximately 1500 people. Their flight decks will support an air wing capable of delivering significant offensive air power to support the battle ashore for prolonged periods of time and will be capable of carrying the widest possible range of aircraft in support of operations. They will be specifically developed to provide a base for the US/UK partnership designed Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.
They will be truly impressive ships and only the US Navy will have anything bigger or more effective. They will put the Royal Navy back on the maritime map but at a huge cost. In order to afford these mammoth ships the rest of the fleet continues to be pared back. The number of frigates and destroyers is likely to fall below 25. They are the backbone of the fleet and do the donkey work of patrolling the high seas and protecting shipping and British interests across the world. They are also necessary to provide defence for the highly vulnerable aircraft carriers. At the time of the Falklands War in 1982 the Royal Navy could muster over 60 frigates and destroyed
