Article

The Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers have incurred costs of £4 billion, double the original budget, draining resources from crucial submarine and hypersonic programs. Persistent technical issues, notably propeller shaft coupling failures, have sidelined the vessels, while a severe personnel shortage complicates staffing these 65,000-ton ships.

The Royal Navy lacks sufficient F-35B Lightning IIs, rendering the carriers underutilized. The carriers are increasingly seen as redundant in a US-led alliance. The decision to prioritize these ships has undermined other critical naval capabilities, raising doubts about their return on investment.