Does the Navy even have the man-capacity to fully crew both carriers?
Yes. In what readiness state are you refrerring?
I've been told that Prince of Wales will be put into reserve immediately after completion because of this shortage, despite the article stating that she will not be "mothballed".
Who's told you this? And what is their connectivity with say, the force generation end of the executive? Or was it some docky, or some ex- whining we don't have a hundred and sixty thousand matelots clogging up barracks or sunning themselves on far away beaches?
Love this 'I've been told' bit. Let me tell you this:
The navy generates force and task groups to deal with military threats pertinent to the global political climate of the day. We don't send shitloads of ships overmanned by thousands of matelots over the horizon simply to piss up and **** foreign lasses at taxpayer's expense any more. There's work to be done. Get used to it.
Be grateful also we have managed to lever six and a bit billion from the Exchequer to build two quite outstandingly agile and clever warships. Soon they'll have some of the best aircraft launching from their decks too. And we are starting to train their crews in an outstandingly good way as well.
The Royal Navy is back.
levers