Quote Originally Posted by Fragony View Post
I didn't know the Ozzies had them. It should be a requirement to have at least one operational one to be a Nato member imho.
1) Aircraft carriers are expensive to operate and if you want to help with humanitarian efforts it ain't the only way. The nuclear reactors on board the US ships are very useful for power and would help with making a mobile desalination plant.

2) NATO stands for two things neither of which sum up Australia's position in this.

3) Having said that Australia has a bad history with operating aircraft carriers.

"HMAS Melbourne (R21) was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Operating from 1955 until 1982, she was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier(I) to serve in the RAN. Melbourne was the only British Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions.[4]" -Wikipedia