Aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has arrived in Scotland for a logistics stop.

The 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier is returning to Glenmallan in Scotland for a routine logistics visit.

The vessel has visited the Northern Ammunition Jetty at Glen Mallan near Faslane multiple times since it was upgraded. According to a news release on the upgrade work:

“We awarded a £67m contract to VolkerStevin in 2019. Alongside them, we worked with managing agent Jacobs, which provided engineering and professional services, as well as designer Arch Henderson. In completing this major project, £20m was spent with local suppliers and small and medium enterprises in Scotland. The jetty was last upgraded in the 1970s and had reached the end of its economic life. The upgrade work has not only extended the life of the jetty by an estimated fifty years, but has also made the site accessible for the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

In fact, HMS Queen Elizabeth visited part way through the work, back in March 2021, in preparation for her first operational deployment. This was not originally planned but became necessary when the scale of the ship’s deployment increased, presenting the team with a challenge to make the jetty operational in time for her arrival. Everyone involved, from DIO, VolkerStevin, Jacobs and the various subcontractors worked closely together to enable HMS Queen Elizabeth to berth at the unfinished jetty, which she did successfully.”

George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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79 COMMENTS

  1. Not a firm confirmation she’s heading to the Eastern Med but certainly an indication that they are looking to keep the option open for a sudden dash.

      • No idea! I’m not privy to any discussions. Only point was if she’s taking on more stores and ammunition at this late stage of her current deployment it might be because the MoD think it’s prudent in this period of tension to keep her at high readiness for any eventualities.

    • Its just to top up stores and munitions as she is the on call carrier. And she is deploying to the Med. That was always part of her Autumn deployment schedule.

      • Remember reading about that schedule earlier in the year. Thought that RN had subsequently changed the itinerary. If they do proceed to the Med, would suggest welcoming USMC contingent aboard.

        • I don’t believe that’s the plan. But plans can change. She was always heading to the med. But I’m sure when she does, it will be reported like she has been redeployed.

  2. Presumably to de-store?

    Although with current tensions nothing specific will be said about anything.

    The one thing we can be sure of is the POW is 100% otherwise QEC wouldn’t be getting ready for her refit.

    • Depends if she has completed her programme for the year. It might be that with Fort Victoria laid up she actually needs to top up her stores. The air wing has been dropping live ordinance recently and if she is to remain the high readiness carrier then she will need those replenishing.

        • 8 of the most advanced 5th gen all aspect stealth fighters to ever to put to sea and would take part in the first night of war when all those F18’s would be sat of deck. Come on now, Geoff. You know better than that. The French would give a right nut away to have F35 capability from the CDG

          • I really don’t think the Americans give a damn. With fifty plus Super Hornets, Growlers and increasingly F35C’s. As for the French…if there want to save lesballs they can just order a dozen F35C’c which are superior to our F35 anyway.

          • Except the Frebch don’t have the money or people to operate a 2nd fast jet fleet of F35’s. It’s never that simple. And they gave identical capability except for how the take off and land. And F35C can carry the 2000lb Paveway sized weapons in the internal bays which we dont use anymore anyway. And the Americans do give a dam about what we can do. Which is why we can operate so closely with them.

    • More likely to re-store given the current geopolitical situation.

      She’s ready and she’s worked up so it’s probably a good idea that she’s armed and ready to go at a moment’s notice.

      It will take several days to fill the magazines with everything she would need for an operational deployment, and I doubt that it would be appreciated if, upon ministerial order to go to the Eastern Mediterranean the navy turned round and said “OK, give us 4 days to take on normal stores, then 10 days to hoof it up to Glen Mallan, arm her, and get her back out to sea”…..

      • Could well be the case…..she is already proving her worth in spades keeping the lid screwed on the Russian problem.

        • The European carriers- so ITS Cavour + Trieste, CDG and the 2 QE’s are proving their worth in spades I would say, certainly should enable the USN to switch forces from the European and Atlantic area to confront the PLAN and President Xi’s axis of evil if required.
          The 2nd tier carrier force of the French Mistral’s and Juan Carlos also would have a useful role operating as ASW carriers in the Atlantic if needed to face a Russian submarine threat.
          The UK carrier force just needs more airpower- the follow-on batch of 26 more f35bs are desperately needed and additional merlins or an ASW version of the medium lift helicopter chosen- if blackhawk is chosen for the army then some MH-60R Seahawks would be a useful additional ASW platform to supplement the small numbers of Merlins in service.

          • “ ITS Cavour + Trieste” are really for Mediterranean use.

            Between CdG and 2 x QEC there is a credible European carrier or two on call. It us a lot easier for US DOD to send some F35B’s to beef up a QEC than send a Nimitz or Ford into theatre.

            I’m unsure of the logic for building them TBH – clearly there is some NATO thinking on carriers that we are not privy to.

          • Cavour is definitely ocean going, blue water. Garibaldi is the smaller one. Trieste not yet fully ready, undergoing trials, is ca 40,000 tons

    • I suspect you may be right SB. But, having watched the tv broadcast this morning, the Clowns 🤡 are finding it hard to get themselves into a credible line. (even ancient Clown 🤡). I imagine other CSG’s in the eastern med n red are quite happy policing events. While we NATO the poo of areas up north. I am twitchy about the subsurface coverage, we desperately need the modern 26 ‘s front line. 👍😶

      • I agree we need more ASW kit as that is Mad Vlad’s only naval threat.

        I do find it curious that the Ukrainians are not getting more credit for what they achieved in shutting down Russia’s navy. One whole domain totally denied.

        Shame we could help them get fast air dominance.

        • Yeh, 🇺🇦 navy’s doing alright. Master piece in ‘making do’. Or the Orcs have classically overeaten the superiority cabbages. Thinking towards the end, (dare I) can the UKR navy afford to rebuild /replace. Aircrew and aircraft? Time’ll tell. Given support, I feel theyl do well. 😉👍

          • Ok, here’s JUST WTF I’m on about, UKR navies unmanned surface drones, in the absence of warships. Russian fleet relocating to(not so) secure base. War is not free, who pays for the rebuild and ability to protect itself. It’s good to supply the aircraft to Ukraine forces, training quality aircrew for the task takes time. I just hope support by all concerned doesn’t waver. Comprendi mk1.
            😁👍

    • Do we know what will be refitted on the QE Carrier? Can’t see anything like decoy launchers, additional 30/40mm, Dragonfire onboard. Hope there’s plenty of 20mm ammo onboard if ever a conflict happens.

  3. Is this a consequence of the delays in MRSS and the lack of RFA Fort Victoria?
    If the QE needs to return to port every time the ship needs replenishment that is going to seriously hamper operational tempo and abilities to remain on station.
    Frankly it is a scandalous state of affairs.

    • It’s not as bad as it seems. Fort Vic is still available for an unplanned CSG deployment so if something big happened she’d be available.
      FSSS build doesn’t start until 2025 with first ship entering service in 2031 so you can appreciate why they want to save her.

    • You do see how important stores ships are when this occurs.

      Bit surprised they didn’t take a couple of Chinooks for vertrep TBH.

  4. If the CBL contract employees are not getting equal treatment to those working on similar contracts in England or Wales, they should be. I would like that ‘if’ to be clarified though.
    Car allowance is a new one on me. Does it depend on where someone’s registered place of employment differs from their actual (term of contract) place of employment?

  5. Could Largs bay not provide a sort of stand in as a dry stores ship for QE if needed as she is already in the area? Or one of the tide class with their some what smaller dry store capacity?

      • Of course it is, apologies school boy error. Yes Lyme bay, one or two merlins from Argus could be retasked for cross decking stores to QE

    • There is usually a Tide accompanying QE or PoW which must in the course of it’s duties provide some dry stores as well as fuel.

      I imagine (happy to be corrected!) that transferring ordnance is more specialised and either the other RFA are not set up for it or it’s just deemed too complicated/unsafe to do a RAS with live ammunition unless it’s from Fort Vic.

      But as I say that’s an educated guess!

      • Forts and Tides are both essential for longer cruises, but Tides can be very handy for these sorts of exorcises. The big worry is more about what will be built for the future to be able to provide meaningful support and resupply and when they will be in service….. oh and David Cam moron is back in a front line position so who the feck knows how the future will pan out…..

  6. Deploy it to the Tawain Straights in the event of serious conflict and see just how long it can stay afloat in waters bristling with Chinese 055 destroyers and their 112 vertical
    Launch tubes for the latest updated Hypersonic missiles ,which completely veer of course from launch tube so none can detect from whence it came, then skim sea level ,varying height and trajectory as it home in on its target all guided and controlled by the most advanced radar , satellites and integrated AI and computing systems
    All guidance systems updated by way of the World’s most advanced wind tunnel
    And if that does sink the carrier then land based, submarine or Air launched hypersonic
    Missile will
    China,s 055 D destroyer is the most fearsome warship ever to take to the Seas
    Along with their new Type 052 frigates bristling with lethal anti submarine and anti air weaponry
    One can’t but help refer to WW2 and HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse
    SUICIDALLY so

      • Do you really believe that complete and utter coital bovine scatology
        Satellites my dear fellow Satellites
        China identified by satellite imagery
        Serious flaws in F35,s stealth coatings
        Probably due to prolonged service at sea
        If so this constitutes major repair maintenance issues for any carrier deploying F35,s as only a very highly trained specialist team and high tech equipment can effect a repair
        But such requires abnormal belong deck
        Hanger space which in turn renders
        Most flight operations extremely difficult
        And for what it’s worth you care to explain how a J 20 out of the blue completely surprised a USA F35 recently
        By appearing upon the F35 tail
        Then flying along side before zooming
        Off into the Ether
        Go find it out big clue the F35 was flying along with F22 Raptors as a classic trap
        This now has the Pentagon seriously concerned as they can only speculate as to how the J 20 managed this as obviously at no time did the J 20 have its
        Radar switched on thereby ensuring it maintained it’s stealth capabilities
        And for what it’s worth China after fastidious study of Naval warfare during WW 2 in the Pacific soon came to realise
        It was never about building carriers but more of a case of sinking them
        Japan from beginning to end Of WW 2 had 29 carriers but at the end had only
        1 left fit for purpose
        So few of you in the West fail to appreciate as to how the Chinese think by
        Way of much Ancient Wisdom and applied such by now having a 2nd Great wall that ensures any who are foolish enough to breach it then shall have no possible means of escape
        How Hypersonic missiles, advanced intergrate radar and proper defense deployment of Land ,Air and Sea resources
        Dream on Dream on

      • Er. Can I take 5 on that?

        QE was well found – bluster and bluff on TV IMHO; she’d be sunk in fun and games.

        Did you notice she was acting alone – no mention of screening forces and the Chicons were close.

        Our carriers need defence in depth and defence on board.

  7. Is it just coincidence that she pulled into Portsmouth just before the last storm and into Scotland just before the current storm hits ?

  9. This just taken from Heraldscotland.com
    BAE Systems is doing well !

    The extended warfare brings with it an inevitability around defence markets. UK heavyweight BAE Systems said it remains on track for a surge in annual earnings as countries increase military spending both in the wake of the arrival of the conflict in Gaza and Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine.

    The group – which builds ships, submarines and fighter jets – said in a trading update that it has booked around £10 billion of orders since the end of June, taking its total for the year so far to more than £30bn.

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