List of escort carriers of the Royal Navy

They were typically half the length and one-third the displacement of the larger fleet carriers.

While they were slower, less armed, unarmoured and carried fewer aircraft, they were less expensive and could be built more quickly.

However, the lack of protection made escort carriers particularly vulnerable and several were sunk with great loss of life.

In the invasions of mainland Europe and Pacific islands, escort carriers provided air support to ground forces during amphibious operations.

In addition, escort carriers such as HMS Vindex and HMS Nairana played an important role in hunter-killer anti-submarine sweeps in company with RN and RCN destroyers, frigates and corvettes (e.g. 6th Canadian Escort Group and 2nd British Escort Group).