[Mariner]

"But, in an effort to save a little money (relatively speaking) they are building large 67,000 ton aircraft carriers that have been needlessly hobbled in terms of their own situational awareness, self-protection, and strike capabilities."

In the modern era, Carriers require a fast, capable picket line of Aegis destroyers...nuke subs...and back-up carriers.

Or, they must be relegated to being part of a US Navy Carrier Battle Group.

I don't believe Britain has sufficient surface and sub-surface assets to protect these ships operating independently. I would like to be wrong, but don't think I am.

[Jeff Head]

The Royal Navy's Type 45 Daring destroyers are VERY capable multi-role anti-air destroyers with capabilities close to equal to any Burke destroyer...their missiles lack the range of the really Long Range standards, and their magazine is smaller (48 missiles) but other than that...they are very capable and strong.

In addition, they have been integrated into the US Navy's CSG defense program:

Their Astute SSNs are on par with our Virginia class too.

Problem is, they only have about sixe of each.

Probably enough to provide two Type 45s and one Astute for any one of their carriers deployed.