British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is to sail to the Arctic Circle in a few weeks to support a multinational air transport mission, it has been revealed.

The new carrier recently returned from trials with F-35 jets but it’s understood that she is being redeployed for this mission.

The vessel is being deployed to act as an emergency landing option should a specific but classified cargo aircraft require its usage.

Other commentators have noted that that the loading of provisions would be unusual as the craft is rumoured to be elf sufficient and shouldn’t need anything else.

Part of HMS Queen Elizabeth’s recent trials involved the fitting of STOVL (Sleigh Take Off and Vixen Landing) equipment allowing for this kind of aircraft to land and take-off from the carrier.

Sources in the region were keen to stress that this special cargo mission is being supported by both NATO and Russian assets.

We understand that the undisclosed cargo is to be revealed nationwide on the morning of the 25th of this month.

According to Foreign Office spokesman Nicholas Cringle:

“We’ve received a request for assistance to support a multi-national air transport mission being launched from a currently undisclosed location within the Arctic Circle. As such, HMS Queen Elizabeth is being redirected to provide emergency provisions and a ‘back up’ option should the cargo aircraft involved need to land and refuel.”

This comes not long after it was announced that the Royal Air Force is on high alert this month in order to track cargo flights from the Arctic region.

An MoD spokesman had this to say:

“Interception is part of what the QRA force do. We have to identify and confirm who or what is flying through our airspace or approaching our airspace and since the craft appears at the same time each year, we have a fairly good idea who will be flying but we don’t take any chances.”

The Ministry of Defence used satellites with infra-red sensors to track the aircraft last time this happened, it is understood that the heat from an animals red nose was clearly visible and it was at this point RAF aircraft began escorting the bright red aircraft over every British city, town and village.

UPDATE: We understand the provisions HMS Queen Elizabeth has been loaded with include Brandy and small biscuits.

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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45 COMMENTS

    • Wishing all the best and a happy Christmas to all the members of our British armed forces.
      It’s been a busy and productive year for the Royal Navy in particular and I hope as many of the RN, RM, and RFA can be with their friends and family this Christmas.

  5. I’m disappointed in myself that I read this totally confused and didn’t pick up on it until reading Sleigh Take Off which I had to read two or three times

  10. I’m still looking forward to the code rednose identified flying object with it’s unique organic propulsion system flying over ours.

  13. Thing is though, I take it the they are using the ‘B’version of the sleigh? Rolling vertical landing I hope?

  19. Hi folks hope are all well,
    Maybe she (HMS.QE) can pay a visit to Russia bearing seasonal gifts, what a tester that would be. Can you imagine the psychological impact this would have, also have a party on board! Now that would give Putin something to think about. Those British aren’t so bad after all.

  21. It’s disgusting how we have to send HMS Queen Elizabeth into the area “just in case” they need an Emergency landing spot!. And why Can’t the Germans or Greeks sort out the dam logistics! They were after all the Nations who started these crazy exercises!!….. The Royal Navy better be sending a nice big bill to them for this…… Disgusting and shameful work….

    • Actually, I think the pilot of the special transport mission had his origin in the Netherlands. Ok, that’s sort of Germanic.

  23. Just hope the Jolly Old Elf in his stealth airframe doesn’t get his posterior shot down by NORAD. They’re kind of itchy fingered triggerwise these days… 😀

    Cheers and Happy Christmas!

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