UK: Brother, Can You Spare an Aircraft Carrier?

By Mark Benjamin | August 3, 2011 | +

The British Won't Have One of These for a While

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, departs Naples, Italy, June 14, 2011, after a port visit. The ship was on its first overseas deployment, supporting maritime support operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tony D. Curtis/Released)

A report by a defense panel in the British parliament explores the impact of upcoming budget cuts on the UK military. Among other shockers, there is an upcoming 10-year period where the Brits will have no — zero — aircraft carrier strike capability while old carriers are retired and new carriers are not in the ocean yet.

The Chair of the committee, James Arbuthnot said this about the report from the findings:

This is a clear example of the need for savings overriding the strategic security of the UK and the capability requirements of the Armed Forces. The Government needs to outline its plans to manage the gap left by the loss of these capabilities and lay out detailed plans for their regeneration.

That’s a heck of a gap.

Related Topics: Navy

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