Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has today (Monday) announced that Britain’s iconic HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier is set to enter the Solent and her new home at Portsmouth Naval Base in around 2 weeks’ time.
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 (17th August), with her arrival expected to be no later than the following Tuesday (22nd August).
Islanders are expected to gather on Ryde Esplanade to see HMS Queen Elizabeth sail up the Eastern Solent for the very first time – but it will be 50 years before she sails out for the last time.
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 3 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. 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.
