In almost total ignorance of the Navy and its affairs, the news coverage over the past few years sure paints them as utterly boned. If the problems aren't as severe as they seem then it must have taken some effort to look so fucked up. Paranoia might suggest its a sucker play; they're waiting for an excuse to reveal the hovercarrier tech [1].

[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-56286719