A post-war review by the Australian government's Defence Committee recommended that the RAN be restructured around a task force incorporating multiple aircraft carriers. Initial plans were for three carriers, with two active and a third in reserve at any given time, although funding cuts led to the purchase of only two carriers in June 1947; "Terrible" and sister ship "Majestic", for the combined cost of AU£2.75 million, plus stores, fuel, and ammunition. As "Terrible" was fitted out as a flagship and was the closer of the two ships to completion, construction was finished without major modification. Although "Terrible" was due for completion on 24 June 1948, a skilled labour shortage affected the installation of the ship's boilers, causing the Admiralty to revise the delivery date to October 1948.