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I’m surprised they don’t sell it to India...which is looking to upgrade its Navy..as a bulwark to China..so it would be in GB interest..

India is going the short take-off/arrested landing route with the former Soviet Navy's Gorshkov having been sold to them and in process of conversion to a mini-Kuznetsov that can handle carrier-capable MiG-29s. They plan to develop and build their own carriers after that.

ex-Gorshkov will give them MUCH more bang for buck than the Ark could. Even if the Brits were willing to sell the Indians the old Sea Harrier FA.2s with the radar (a deal to sell them fell through because the Brits wouldn't give Blue Vixen sets to the Indians), it would be better to operate the Shars off of Gorshkov.

And even though they need the capability as well, there's no way that the Aussies are going to take on a former RN carrier that's this close to the end of its service life.

Thanks..one follow-up..a few comments on the thread suggest that 25 years is NOT a long life..our CVNs last 50+ years..with one refueling at 25-30 years..