Green light for carriers, as UK boosts defence spending.

The UK government has announced a 7.7bn [pounds sterling] increase in the defence budget over the next three years. The settlement of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) for defence breaks down into an annual budget of 34bn [pounds sterling] in 2008/9, 35.3bn [pounds sterling] in 2009/10 and 36.9bn [pounds sterling] in 2010/11.

The additional 7.7bn [pounds sterling] for Defence by 2011 equates to 1.5 per cent average annual real growth against the CSR baseline, which excludes the cost of operations and the time-limited Defence Modernisation Fund. In addition, the Treasury will continue to fund the additional cost of operations over and above the defence budget, having already invested some 6.6bn [pounds sterling] in supporting the front line since 2001.

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The announcement paves the way for the purchase of two new 65,000 tonne aircraft carriers--HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales--the largest ships ever sailed by the Royal Navy. A new joint venture between BAE Systems and VT Group will be a key part of the MoD-Industry alliance that will build the ships. The spending review also earmarks 1bn [pounds sterling] over the CSR years to maintain the UK strategic deterrent, which will not be at the expense of current operations.

In 1998, the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) announced plans to replace the current Invincible class of aircraft carrier with two larger, more capable vessels that could operate a much more powerful air group. The Future Aircraft Carriers (CVF) will deploy offensive air power in support of the full spectrum of future operations. This will be provided by a Joint Force Air Group (JFAG) which primarily consists of a combination of the Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) and the Maritime Airborne Surveillance and Control (MASC) system. JCA/MASC will be capable of operating in all weathers, day and night, to provide carrier strike, as well as air defence for the carrier and offensive support for ground forces ashore.

The JFAG will also operate helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from all three Services in a variety of roles that could include anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare, attack and support. The Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant of the Lockheed Martin F35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) has been selected to fulfil the JCA role. The carriers will also be able to operate GR9 Harriers.

To maximise the flexibility that CVF can offer over its service life, the carriers will be built to an innovative adaptable design. Though they will be built with a ramp and associated equipment to operate the STOVL F35 aircraft, they are, essentially, a Carrier Variant (CV) aircraft-based design. If required, post-JSF, the design means that they are able to be modified in refit to operate aircraft requiring a catapult launch and arrested recovery.

The new carriers are expected to enter service in 2014 and 2016. Current cost is given as around 3.9 bn [pounds sterling], although the alliance of companies that will build the ships and the MoD have agreed to work together to reduce this figure before a final price is settled in 2009.

UK and French industries are now exploring further cooperation opportunities, including sharing of equipment procurement and support.