back to article HMS Queen Elizabeth is delayed, Ministry of Defence confesses

Defence chiefs have confessed that the 70,000-ton aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth’s delivery date is getting later and later – with one Tory minister openly mocking an MP who asked a straight question. Minister for defence procurement Harriett Baldwin, appearing before Parliament’s Defence Select Committee yesterday and …

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  1. Bootneck61
    Holmes

    2 aircraft carriers ?

    Two aircraft carriers, both with a displacement of about 64,000 tons ! These carriers will only go to sea with a battle group of about 5 destroyers for extra protection, and probably a submarine under the waves. This is how the U.S. navy operates it's big carriers.

    Also, it has been necessary to spend a lot of money on enlarging the berths in Pompey naval dockyard to accommodate these new carriers. It has been said that these carriers will have a lifespan of about 50 years. I somehow doubt that.

    Does the navy currently have enough spare surface ships and subs to be deployed on almost permanent battle group duties ? If not, the government had better stump up some more defence budget cash, and start a new ship building programme !

    It would have made more sense if the contract had been to build 3 smaller carriers of about 40,000 tons. 3 carriers could be rotated between minor and major refits, with perhaps one in reserve at any time.

    Rob. S. Ex Bootneck with 2 years service on H.M.S. Centaur, (a fixed wing carrier).

  2. toffer99

    So the Tories now have two Disgraced Ex-Defence Ministers on their record (please use this correct title), and they're lining up the third. It'll be interesting to see how the new one falls down. My guess is sheer incompetence in the role and in Parliament

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