NATO sharing a Carrier question

[ProM]

Originally Posted by lucinator

actually they are only going to operate the second one, the first one their building, then well nothing really, so technically they probably wouldn't mind selling it when the second one comes online.

Most people think the money will be found to turn the first one to CATOBAR as well. The exact timing will be decided in the next 6 months or so I think

[lucinator]

Originally Posted by ProM

Most people think the money will be found to turn the first one to CATOBAR as well. The exact timing will be decided in the next 6 months or so I think

cool. And welcome to the forum

[StobieWan]

Originally Posted by lucinator

actually they are only going to operate the second one, the first one their building, then well nothing really, so technically they probably wouldn't mind selling it when the second one comes online.

Officially I believe first off the block will be floated out as an LPH, and second will be launched with cat and trap - but there's a significant pressure to fit both with cat and trap. We'd need a replacement for HMS Ocean in any event (although running a QE as an LPH would be an expensive fix for that requirement)


No decision has been made however.

I don't believe selling either one is possible or desirable however - any country in the market for a carrier that size will want to home build (India and Brazil for instance - France has already concluded that a QE would cost too much to convert for their purposes)

Ian

[ProM]

Thanks for the welcome Lucinator

Before Fox had to resign as defence minister, he several times made statements referring to both carriers being converted, with his aides subsequently 'clarifying' his remarks. So there is a feeling that they want to convert both. Some feel that they will wait to get the money out of the 2015 SDSR. My gut feel is that they will get it sooner

[Sea Toby]

Originally Posted by ltdanjuly10

Once the Ford comes online that should leave 1 Nimitz surplus under a 10 carrier scheme, One that I am sure has useful life left in it.

But it will not have any useful life left. The two A4W reactor vessels would have to be replaced. No one is going to pay for two new reactors (that can last 40 years) unless they can expect another 40 years of service from the ship.

No ship nor its systems last 80 years, not even a Nimitz class.