Queen Elizabeth

HMS Queen Elizabeth

HMS Queen Elizabeth is the largest and most powerful vessel ever constructed for the Royal Navy. Capable of carrying up to 40 aircraft, this awe-inspiring warship will enter the naval service in 2020.

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As well as state-of-the-art weaponry and communications systems, HMS Queen Elizabeth boasts a cinema, a games room, and five gyms. There’s also a chapel and medical centre with three GPs and a dentist.

The flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth comes in at an enormous four acres, and will be used to launch the fearsome new F-35 Lightning fast jet. Two fighter jets can be moved from the hangar to the flight deck in the space of just one minute.

The ship’s two propellers weigh 33 tonnes each. Together, they generate enough power to run 1000 family cars.

F-35 jets leave HMS Queen Elizabeth after ‘eclipsing aspirations’

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HMS Queen Elizabeth Latest News

Another milestone landing on HMS Queen Elizabeth

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Aircraft carrier sent to boost cyber fight with US in face of ‘perilous risk’, Defence Secretary announces

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Current operation Westlant 18

Britain's new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is deployed to the east coast of the United States for her maiden F-35 Lightning flying trials. Joined by her task group, including HMS Monmouth, it marks the first time F-35 stealth jets have flown from the carrier's flight deck. As well as the vital deck trials, the deployment also involves exercises to prove the ship's ability to operate with other nations’ ships and aircraft.

  • Westlant 18

    Britain's new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is deployed to the east coast of the United States for her maiden F-35 Lightning flying trials. Joined by her task group, including HMS Monmouth, it marks the first time F-35 stealth jets have flown from the carrier's flight deck. As well as the vital deck trials, the deployment also involves exercises to prove the ship's ability to operate with other nations’ ships and aircraft.

International partnerships

As the fifth largest economy in the world, the UK has responsibilities towards its allies and partners. But Britain also has global ambitions – namely to protect the seaways underpinning the country’s prosperity. The Royal Navy plays a crucial role in fostering these enduring and lasting alliances with other nations.

Ready to fight

When diplomacy fails, the UK has to be ready to protect its interests and its allies. What’s more, as a member of NATO and the UN, the UK also acts to support the enforcement of UN resolutions and come to the aid of our allies. This is where the Royal Marines come in: we train to go where we’re needed – by sea, land or air – and deploy our forces with the aim of restoring peace.

Location USA

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Unit History

HMS Queen Elizabeth1915

Only one previous ship bore the name HMS Queen Elizabeth. She fought in the Dardanelles and supported the Galipoli campaign.

HMS Queen Elizabeth1918

It was on board the 1st HMS Queen Elizabeth that the German fleet handed in their surrender.

HMS Queen Elizabeth2008

Fast forward to the 21st century, when the new HMS Queen Elizabeth is commissioned by Defence Secretary, Des Browne.

HMS Queen Elizabeth2014

The new carrier is launched at Rosyth by Her Majesty The Queen, ushering in a new era for the Royal Navy and British naval warfare.

Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers Future

An island nation needs a powerful navy. A simple fact, often forgotten. Go behind the scenes of the new aircraft carrier and discover its true scale and ambition.

Read about the new carrier

Commanding Officer Nick Cooke-Priest

Commander Nick Cooke-Priest

Rank: Captain

Commander Nick Cooke Priest joined the Royal Navy in November 1990. He took command of HMS Queen Elizabeth in October 2018.

Previous units

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Fact

She is the Royal Navy's largest ever warship with a full displacement of 65,000 tonnes

HMNB Portsmouth

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Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering)

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units involved

HMS Prince of Wales

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820 Naval Air Squadron

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809 Naval Air Squadron

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History of HMS Queen Elizabeth

History of the name

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HMS Queen Elizabeth

HMS Queen Elizabeth