British Carrier Remains Controversial
The total forecast cost for Britain's new aircraft carrier threatens to sink other UK defense projects.
The Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier was floated out of its construction dock at Rosyth in Scotland on July 16. (Photo: BAE Systems)
The Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier was floated out of its construction dock at Rosyth in Scotland on July 16. (Photo: BAE Systems)

Britain’s new aircraft carrier is now afloat, but the total forecast cost of £6.1 billion ($10.4 billion) still threatens to sink other defense projects in the UK. To this cost must be added the forecast near £2.5 billion ($4.28 billion) being contributed by the UK to development and initial test and evaluation of the F-35s that will fly from her decks, plus perhaps another £5 billion ($8.56 billion) for their production. However, the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) are taking their cue from H.M. Queen Elizabeth herself, who, in naming the 65,000-tonne warship in a July 4 ceremony, said “it will be a source of inspiration and pride for all.”