HMS Queen Elizabeth will shortly be heading out to sea, becoming the second British aircraft carrier at sea in waters around the UK.
The aircraft carrier will be conducting various trials and training drills to ensure the vessel and her crew are up to speed.
HMS Queen Elizabeth, is scheduled to depart from Portsmouth on 21 October 2024. The vessel will sail from Victory Jetty at 14:45, with a planned course taking it through to the Outer Spit Buoy.
The departure will be supported by various vessels, including Tempest, Bountiful, and Independent. Due to the movement of this large carrier, the Main Channel will be closed to all inbound and outbound traffic between 13:55 and 15:55, and the Small Boat Channel will also be closed at 15:00 to ensure safe passage.
The planned movement has been detailed in shipping notices from KHM Portsmouth, which provided specific timings and restrictions to avoid disruptions.
Powerful British Carrier Strike Group assembles off Scotland
The UK Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, is conducting Exercise Strike Warrior off the coast of Scotland. According to the Ministry of Defence, this is the final phase of preparations for a global deployment next year, which will be the first of its kind since HMS Queen Elizabeth’s 49,000-mile mission to Japan and back in 2021.
The vessels are the most powerful warships ever built for the Royal Navy, displacing approximately 65,000 tonnes and measuring 280 metres in length. The carriers are capable of carrying up to 40 aircraft, including the advanced F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters and a variety of helicopters.
Commissioned in December 2017, HMS Queen Elizabeth has already undertaken significant operational duties, including a global deployment in 2021. HMS Prince of Wales, commissioned in 2019, has also deployed operationally to the United States as well as around Europe and the Arctic.
When we have to start listing civilian tugs, it just highlights the dearth of real carrier support ships.
I really don’t think that’s a big deal
Why? did you expect a destroyer,frigate or submarine to pull her out of dock!
I suppose I was wanting the reporting to be looking forward to what QNLZ will be doing rather than the minutiae of the launch. Will it be involved in flight training this year or will it just work up to keep the crew sharp before it goes back into refit next year?
There again, perhaps an article on the Serco tugs is overdue.
if sercos performance inn the water is anything like it is in the criminal justice system, we’re in trouble!
Quite. In this case it is the tugs’ primary role getting large ships safely on and off berth.
😀👍
The RMAS used to do this but it was cheaper to subcontract. We don’t have enough warship movements anymore to justify an MOD supported tug fleet
Where is it going?
Maybe simplistic, but I’d rather see one of these superb ships at sea for a large proportion of the year rather than two at the same time?
Where would you like one of them to go! What’s the point in steaming around in circles just to be at sea!
Don,t worry, in the next defence review (cuts) one of them will be mothballed/put in reserve.
And thanks god it,s difficult to sell if not they would try too.
Here we go again, why in earth does everything now have to be politicised on this forum time and time again. Can we not just keep politics out of it and limit our discussion to the actual practicalities of delivering defence? Actually It was Lord George Robertson who as Tony Blair’s defence secretary was the driving force behind what was then CVF and is now QEC. Yes he was Labour but that is not to politicise it , just a statement of fact. As I’m sure your aware Robertson went on to be Secretary General of NATO, was highly respected… Read more »
agreed, stuff politics from the site altogether.
Unfortunately defence and politics are joined at the hip. Our very defence posture is politically defined and therefore our force structure, our equipment spend or technology. The fact we have 2 carriers or 148 Challenger tanks is because of political choices.
I didn’t vote blue or red at tge last 2 elections so.people having pop politically doesn’t bother me. It’s great not having to defend the indefensible tbh.
You nanna you cannot keep politics out of it. We have Mr Silliband spending 22 billion on projects that will inflate our energy bills and will not work even in terms of energy security. That money would pay for 25 F35b. Good job we don’t have some eastern autocrat threatening us with war !
interested in what and how many ships are in attendance for them both.
It would be good PR if she is joining HMS POW in the North Sea,but likely she will have other plans.
I like SD Tugs.
Yes….I keep an “ORBAT” of them too. 🙄
it’s fantastic news that the UK can now deploy two carriers groups. projecting UK naval credibility and flying the flag bringing hugh commercial opportunities. even though we are woefully low in numbers, t5 royal navy remain among the most powerful ones in the world. Great
Am I the only one who thinks there shouldn’t be any thing put out to tender ,regarding national security.bring back forces run recruiting,forces run catering,and last but not least forces run towing ,eg bring back the Xmas.
Sorry rmas
They won’t even risk them against them houti rebels, probably last hours Vs a half decent adversary. Lots of money just to lob a few bombs on shepherds etc