RUSI report says Libya conflict left military 'under considerable strain' 23.09.11
7The allied operation in Libya has raised questions about the Strategic Defence and Security Review -- including the decision to scrap HMS Ark Royal - and left Britain's military "under considerable strain."
That's the conclusion of a The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) after carrying out analysis of the operation, including the NATO air strikes.
It says: "The 'carrier debate' in Britain will almost certainly be reignited by this operation. The fact is that the operation was successfully conducted without a British aircraft carrier being available..
"It is "equally a fact that the operation involved four major ships that were capable of launching aircraft - the French, and Italian carriers, the US assault ship, and Britain's HMS Ocean acting as a helicopter carrier.