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Standing back from the naval procurement situation and looking at its recent past rational analysis would lead most people to think short of a big war being round the corner a third CVF would be beyond reach for the RN. Now whenever we discuss a fantasy fleets I always start with three aircraft carriers, its a good number of carriers to have, one serving as fleet flagship, one active and ready to assist the fleet flagship should the balloon go up and one in refit or training (thus allowing a good operating schedule for the carrier force as a whole).

Given the current financial realities of the RN, and the UK in general just at the moment, we'd be pushed to get the third CVF I, and I would guess others, desire. However browsing the LHA/LHD thread I was intrigued by something that hulahoop hinted at. Hulahoop points out that Argus should expire in 2020, followed by Ocean in 2022, just in time to take advantage of knowledge gained building the first two CVFs, now instead of a direct LPH and aviation training vessel replacement we could perhaps argue for a third CVF to replace both ships. This would give the RN three full carriers with all the trimmings yet also provide massive helicopter space for amphibious operations, although the ship would still be a more expensive unit than Ocean and would be less optimised for moving troops around.

Is the trade of specialised (although low cost) Ocean replacement (if one is ordered at all) for a third CVF worth it? Just to provide extra food for debate if the RN was able to wangle the retention of Ark Royal until say 2020 could the RN then push not only for a third but a fourth CVF to replace three older ships (Ark, Ocean and Argus)?

Obviously in an ideal world the RN would get 3+ CVFs and a two ship Ocean replacement, but contrary to my normal best case scenario or nothing approach to future procurement I have decided to pose a choice, any thoughts?