Britain’s flagship Carrier could arrive home as early as next Thursday, Defence Secretary announces
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has announced that Britain’s iconic HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier is set to enter her new home in Portsmouth in around two weeks’ time.
The UK's future flagship, HMS Queen Elizabeth.
The 65,000-tonne Carrier, the biggest warship ever to be built in Britain, has been undergoing sea trials since setting sail from Scotland’s Rosyth dockyard in June. She is now set to make her historic arrival into Portsmouth, where she will be the latest in a long line of famous Royal Navy ships to call the port home.
Whilst weather conditions mean the exact date of the historic moment is yet to be confirmed, the window for entry will open next Thursday (17/08), with her arrival expected to be no later than the following Tuesday (22/08).
The Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon visited HMS Queen Elizabeth during sea trials last month.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:
In just two weeks’ time, the most powerful warship ever built for Britain’s famous Royal Navy is set to sail into her proud new home in Portsmouth.
HMS Queen Elizabeth will be the Royal Navy’s flagship for the next 50 years, keeping us safe by deploying across the seven seas, using her strike power to deter our enemies.
With only three other countries in the world building aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth will give Britain the capability to lead the way in tackling global issues in an increasingly uncertain world, from providing humanitarian relief to high-end warfighting.
The Defence Secretary addressed the Royal Navy crew and industry personnel on the deck of the new aircraft carrier last month.
And with the state-of-the-art F-35B Lightning fighter jets on track to make their first trial flights from the Carrier’s deck next year, the UK is now building towards delivering Carrier Strike capability.
Both aircraft carriers are being delivered by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance.