One possible back door might be financial/economic interest.
If the members agree that all naval purchases, or perhaps all types of military purchases, will come from their own industries this might give encourage such cooperation while creating business and union voices in favor of continuing and even expanding such a program.
The problem is that this would have to cover all the needs of the members as one carrier can't be in two places at once so perhaps if it starts with smaller ships and proves to save enough money that a larger number can be purchased...
Definately - the benefits of joint development aswell as being able to domestically produce both cheapens development costs as well as boosts industry.
However, I can't see Canada or Australia operating two Malta sized ships - that would stretch their armed forces budget beyons the limit. new Zealand is the same - defo not three helicopter carriers. What I can see is this:
1960:
RN: 3 Audacious Class Carriers, 2 Implacable Class Carriers (rebuilt), a number of Majestics converted to Commando Carriers.
RCN: 2 Centaur Class Carriers
RAN: 2 Centaur Class Carriers
By the 1990's the fleet has been extensivly modernised and it's aircraft capable vessels are:
RN: 3 CVA-01 Type Fleet Carriers, 2 Landing Helicopter Dock's (30,000-34,000 tons), 4 Albion Type Landing Platform Docks.
RCN: 1 CVA-01 Type Fleet Carrier, 1 Landing Helicopter Dock (30,000-34,000 tons), 2 Albion Type Landing Platform Docks.
RAN: 1 CVA-01 Type Fleet Carrier, 1 Landing Helicopter Dock (30,000-34,000 tons), 2 Albion Type Landing Platform Docks.
Roughly, by 2000 this means that the combined navy has a strenghth of:
5 Carrier Battle Groups
4 Amphibious Assault Groups.
While this goes on, New Zealand operates a modest (but still bigger) fleet of escorts and support ships in conjunction with Australia. Other remaining core Commowealth areas, such as the West Indes, Singapore, Malta and Hongkong, depending upon their status operate a small fleet of patrol frigates, or at least fund them and freeing up CANZUK ships for other duties.
Furthermore, perhaps a unified, i.e. jointly funded and controlled Royal fleet Auxilliary can slo spread the costs of supporting these ships around the World?
Russell