Aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth will soon sail with a task group of nine vessels, including a nuclear submarine.

HMS Queen Elizabeth will sail with HMS Kent, HMS Defender, HMS Diamond, HMS Northumberland, RFA Tideforce, RFA Fort Victoria, Dutch Frigate HNLMS Evertsen, American Destroyer USS The Sullivans and an unnamed British nuclear submarine.

Image Crown Copyright 2020.

Why is this happening? – Some background information

This is in preparation for next year when HMS Queen Elizabeth will deploy with two frigates, two destroyers, a nuclear submarine and support vessels.

Commodore Michael Utley, Commander United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group, is reported by Save The Royal Navy here as saying that HMS Queen Elizabeth will be escorted on her ’round the world deployment’ by two Type 45 destroyers, two Type 23 frigates, a nuclear submarine, a Tide-class tanker and RFA Fort Victoria.

Earlier in the year, HMS Queen Elizabeth cleared her penultimate hurdle for front-line duties after ten weeks around the UK, preparing for her maiden deployment in the new year.

“A final package of training in the autumn – working alongside NATO and US allies – will confirm her ability to act as a task group flagship, so that she can lead a potent carrier strike force on front-line operations anywhere in the world.”

The Royal Navy said at the time that in view of the size and complexity of the carrier, she received a dedicated training package, initially off the south coast, to test the ability of all 1,100 men and women on board to deal with everything they might expect to face in peace and war. The training package reached its climax with 18 fictional fire and flood incidents raging simultaneously – with the ship expected to continue flying operations while damage control teams toiled in the carrier’s depths.

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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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John Clark
John Clark
3 years ago

Looking forward to the pics! It’s a proud moment for Great Britain chaps….

Scott
Scott
3 years ago

You never say anything new in these articles. The following paragraph; “The Royal Navy said at the time that in view of the size and complexity of the carrier, she received a dedicated training package, initially off the south coast, to test the ability of all 1,100 men and women on board to deal with everything they might expect to face in peace and war. The training package reached its climax with 18 fictional fire and flood incidents raging simultaneously – with the ship expected to continue flying operations while damage control teams toiled in the carrier’s depths.” has been… Read more »

Andy
Andy
3 years ago

I guess there will also be a few more undersea vessels as well. Not all of them friendly.

Paul42
Paul42
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy

The unfriendly will be seen off by the friendly. USS Seawolf put into Faslane this week a day after a Virginia class left. I suspect US Subs will be backing our SSN up.

Andy P
Andy P
3 years ago
Reply to  Paul42

Paul, it can start to get messy when you have more than one ‘known’ submarine in close proximity. That’s not to say it can’t and doesn’t happen but its generally well choreographed.

Paul42
Paul42
3 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

If indeed a second friendly boat is present it will be extremely well choreographed. It can and has happened on more than one occasion.

Steve
Steve
3 years ago
Reply to  Paul42

Could well be a US sub as the only sub.

Meirion X
Meirion X
3 years ago
Reply to  Steve

No! A British sub will be present in the exercise area.

md_pepa
md_pepa
3 years ago
Reply to  Paul42

I guess they are playing Putin’s pals

Bill
Bill
3 years ago

Packs a punch. An additional sub would be welcome.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
3 years ago

Splendid.

Want to see photos, get the RN in the public and governments eye.

barry white
barry white
3 years ago

Why did you take my comment down
I was the first to comment on this
All i said was on the lines of “be great to see some pics ”
Then you said the comment was awaiting moderation
When i ask why you have since taken the comment down yet someone else has made the same comment yet its ok to keep that up
The mind boggles
Explain please

barry white
barry white
3 years ago
Reply to  barry white

Sorry my mistake
Dosnt seem a way to delete it
It was the other post re the carrier
I apologise

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
3 years ago

A little off topic, but nonetheless useful information!

“As part of its budget request for fiscal year 2021, Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) has asked the Ministry of Finance in Tokyo for JPY1.2 billion (USD11.4 million) to push ahead with the co-development of a Joint New Air-to-Air Missile (JNAAM) with the United Kingdom.”

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/japan-pushes-forward-with-jnaam-co-development

Last edited 3 years ago by Nigel Collins
ETH
ETH
3 years ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Would be great to see this flying from a Japan-backed Tempest project, flown by both nations.

Frank62
Frank62
3 years ago

Recent parliamentary report I read in Warship World says Crowsnest is way behind delivery & won’t be avaiiable in time, so no AEW unless the USN provides. Also the spares stockpile for the F35s has been reduced making spare a big problem & training time also cut.

Ron
Ron
3 years ago
Reply to  Frank62

Not quite true, I was reading a report on Crowsnest this morning, from my understanding there will be three test AEW Merlins available for the 2021 deployment. They will not be fully functioning as they are test units, but systems do need to be tested in an operational enviroment. Full intergration will be 2023, this is when the RAF/FAA will also have 48 F35Bs for deployment.

So behind schedule yes, impact on full independent operational ability no.

Frank62
Frank62
3 years ago
Reply to  Ron

I hope you’re right. Still deploying to a high risk area with potentially 1/3 missing CIWS on QE, no modern AShMs & we really need a SAM on the QE too. Escorts can be eliminated or simply tasked/lured away when needed. Even the USN with the largest escort fleet operates 2 SAM systems on their carriers.

Ron
Ron
3 years ago
Reply to  Frank62

With the situation of Crowsnest, I seem to be up to date with Government Mod Info. There is one advantage that many don’t think about. Do I want China to know the abilities of Crowsnest, No, do I want China to know the full capablities of SAMPSON, No. So possibly it is good that some systems are under test and some will be hauled in to peace time operation. Sometimes you do not want the enemy to know your capability, then again you don’t always want your friend to know what you can do. Anyway three test beds are going… Read more »

Ron
Ron
3 years ago

I know that the first deployment in 2021 should be RN, but to be honest I would like to see a third T23 attached possibly a non tailed T23 to work with the support ships and an Arliegh Burke for the duration of Indian Ocean/ China Seas portion of the deployment. Speaking of the AB class, can someone explain to this idiot here how a ship that is 10ft longer than our T45 has a crew twice the size, a 1000 long tons heavier, more narrow in the beam and twice the amount of missile capability 96 Mk41 launchers to… Read more »