[Stonewall Jackson]

Spain has the 17,000-ton Asturias, which can carry 29 aircraft, and has a 27,000-ton carrier under construction, which will carry 30+ aircraft and should be completed in 2008.

Italy has the 13,000-ton Garibaldi, which can carry 18 aircraft, and is building the 26,000-ton Cavour, which can carry 20+ aircraft and should be in service in 2008.

[LSUfan]

Those are all VTOL carriers. None can launch or recover CTOL aircraft. They have no catapults and no arresting gear.

In other words, they can only handle Harriers and helicopters. Basically the same kind of ships the Royal Navy took down to the Falklands in 1982.

[DuncanWaring]

Italy has the 13,000-ton Garibaldi...

Haven't we got lifeboats bigger than that?