What You Need to Know: The UK Treasury has reportedly proposed mothballing one of the Royal Navy's two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers as part of a strategic defense review. These carriers, the most advanced and expensive warships in British history, cost over £3 billion each.

-The Royal Navy is resisting this proposal, emphasizing the operational necessity of maintaining two carriers to ensure redundancy and global capability. Challenges, including a lack of sufficient escort ships and a staffing crisis, already complicate operations.

-With geopolitical rivals like China expanding their naval power, shelving a carrier could undermine the UK's strategic position.

The UK's Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers are the most advanced warships the Royal Navy has ever operated. HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are also the largest vessels ever built for the senior service, surpassing even HMS Vanguard (23), the final battleship ever produced.

Yet, the two carriers are also the most expensive military........

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