Comment by guylhem

That feels so wrong. It is still floating and could be useful.

Destructing it is just destruction for the sake of it.

Why not at least sell it to a friendly country, who could use such power to defend itself from neighbouring enemies?

I'm sure Israel or Japan would welcome the gift - they sure could supply their own planes and weapons.

It's a real shame to destroy so much investment - especially since, as noted in the article, its speed is still competitive.