New ship is a ‘totemic symbol’ in changing world

The Commander of HMS Queen Elizabeth has strongly defended the need for such a ship, with questions raised over its cost and relevance.

Despite the size of the aircraft carrier, Captain Jerry Kyd said it remains an “incredibly flexible tool” that was not only about war fighting, but deterrence, political signalling, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance. Rapid develop-

ments in technology have led to discussions over the future of defence, with the likes of unmanned drones and cyber warfare, but the commanding officer believes HMS Queen Elizabeth and sister ship HMS Prince of Wales will prove good value over the next 50 years.

He said: “There is nothing that is invulnerable, whether it’s a city, a car, an individual or a ship.

“We are not shy in the military to understanding risks and how to mitigate that in the theatre of war.

“These ships are expensive, absolutely, but look at all the major nations around the world, they all have an aircraft carrier capability. Why is that?

“The reason being is that [aircraft carriers] provide the government, very simply, with an incredibly flexible tool – it’s not just about war fighting but deterrence, coercion, political signalling, providing a huge sea base for disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.”

Capt Kyd said the carrier was a “national symbol” which would project British ambition worldwide.

“They are symbols of national power. They are totemic symbols of your ambition, your need to be an outwardfacing global Britain, ready to play its full part in the western defence of democracy and security around the world. You can’t do that with nothing.

“The investment in these aircraft carriers is logical, it’s rock solid and a strategic necessity.”