UK aircraft carriers 'sunk' during war simulations – Times
The report indicates that UK aircraft carriers face survival challenges in certain simulations and are notably susceptible to missile attacks. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Officials are reportedly considering scrapping at least one of the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers to help alleviate financial issues, according to the paper.
As noted in The Times on Friday, both of Britain's aircraft carriers—considered essential to the Royal Navy—would face significant vulnerabilities in potential conflicts with adversaries of similar capability. A defense source revealed that the UK military has conducted numerous simulations assessing its "ability to survive" against an "overwhelming force" in a full-scale conflict scenario. These war games, which remain classified, involved HMS Queen Elizabeth, the fleet's current flagship, and HMS Prince of Wales, which were commissioned in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
Both ships are designed for global power projection and can accommodate up to 40 aircraft, including the advanced F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, along with helicopters for anti-submarine operations and troop transportation.
A Times source familiar with the exercises disclosed that “in most war games, the carriers get sunk,” emphasizing the ships' heightened vulnerability to missile strikes. One military official explained that navy command tests “everything to the limit” during these scenarios, stating, “At some point, you will get to a scenario where it [the carrier] is sunk.”
The Times also reported that China, one of the UK’s potential adversaries, is enhancing its arsenal with anti-ship ballistic missiles, supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, and improved radar systems.
According to the article, British military leaders are exploring options for asset reduction to save billions, with discussions ongoing about the necessity of aircraft carriers in modern warfare. During a recent high-profile meeting, “the prospect of scrapping at least one carrier to help with financial problems was raised.”
Nonetheless, one insider suggested that despite exploring all possibilities, it is unlikely that the UK would choose to decommission a carrier, as doing so could “downgrade our commitment [to NATO] at a time when the US are signaling moving away.”
Former First Sea Lord Alan West commented that aircraft carriers are among the most versatile components of the UK's military arsenal, asking, “If carriers are so useless, why are the Chinese, Americans and Indians desperately building up their carrier forces?”
In recent years, British officials and media outlets have raised concerns regarding the military's readiness, with Defense Secretary John Healey asserting last month that the armed forces are “hollowed out” and “underfunded.”
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
As noted in The Times on Friday, both of Britain's aircraft carriers—considered essential to the Royal Navy—would face significant vulnerabilities in potential conflicts with adversaries of similar capability. A defense source revealed that the UK military has conducted numerous simulations assessing its "ability to survive" against an "overwhelming force" in a full-scale conflict scenario. These war games, which remain classified, involved HMS Queen Elizabeth, the fleet's current flagship, and HMS Prince of Wales, which were commissioned in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
Both ships are designed for global power projection and can accommodate up to 40 aircraft, including the advanced F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, along with helicopters for anti-submarine operations and troop transportation.
A Times source familiar with the exercises disclosed that “in most war games, the carriers get sunk,” emphasizing the ships' heightened vulnerability to missile strikes. One military official explained that navy command tests “everything to the limit” during these scenarios, stating, “At some point, you will get to a scenario where it [the carrier] is sunk.”
The Times also reported that China, one of the UK’s potential adversaries, is enhancing its arsenal with anti-ship ballistic missiles, supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, and improved radar systems.
According to the article, British military leaders are exploring options for asset reduction to save billions, with discussions ongoing about the necessity of aircraft carriers in modern warfare. During a recent high-profile meeting, “the prospect of scrapping at least one carrier to help with financial problems was raised.”
Nonetheless, one insider suggested that despite exploring all possibilities, it is unlikely that the UK would choose to decommission a carrier, as doing so could “downgrade our commitment [to NATO] at a time when the US are signaling moving away.”
Former First Sea Lord Alan West commented that aircraft carriers are among the most versatile components of the UK's military arsenal, asking, “If carriers are so useless, why are the Chinese, Americans and Indians desperately building up their carrier forces?”
In recent years, British officials and media outlets have raised concerns regarding the military's readiness, with Defense Secretary John Healey asserting last month that the armed forces are “hollowed out” and “underfunded.”
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
