What would they be used for? They're limited to V/STOL aircraft or helicopters
Any rebuild to give the Invincibles CATOBAR capability would be of the "remove nameplate, slide under new ship, reaffix nameplate" sort. Any extant catapults require steam, which their propulsion system does not produce, and the only ones that might fit are the 52m catapults on Foch, the short version of the US C-13 is 80m overall which is too big for the Invincibles. They could wait for EMALS, but then you still need a shit load of power and a special variant madeYes, that is what I was thinking too. At least with the Foch, Brazil was getting a nominal, catapult launched fixed wing capability. Purchasing the two Invincibles works only in the long-term if Brazil is planning on making F-35 purchases....or they plan on an expensive rebuild of both ships to fit them with catapults.
Any rebuild to give the Invincibles CATOBAR capability would be of the "remove nameplate, slide under new ship, reaffix nameplate" sort. Any extant catapults require steam, which their propulsion system does not produce, and the only ones that might fit are the 52m catapults on Foch, the short version of the US C-13 is 80m overall which is too big for the Invincibles. They could wait for EMALS, but then you still need a shit load of power and a special variant made
What’s the state of the USMC AV8B harrier Fleet? My understanding is that the spares situation is basically one of cannibalising other harriers to keep the last ones flying? A bit like the British ones 10 years ago. If the situation is better then perhaps the Brazilian and Chilean fleets could buy ex-USMC harriers? Otherwise have them as ASW helicopter carriers only. Is the Foch currently operating any fixed wing?
No, the carrier was decommissioned. She was turning into a money pit for Brazil. The carrier underwent a five year modernization between 2005 and 2010 and did not renter service until 2011. A year later she suffered a major fire and was decommissioned. Sao Paulo was still undergoing repairs in 2016 when Brazil announced she would be modernized again. Her engines and catapult were to be repaired. Shortly afterwards the plan was cited as uneconomical and cancelled.