'Complex workouts' await HMS Queen Elizabeth as she prepares to replace HMS Prince of Wales as flagship
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The 65,000 tonne warship’s visit to Northern Ireland was the first of its kind in 61 years
More advanced exercises await a Royal Navy aircraft carrier amid plans for her to assume command as Britain’s flagship.
HMS Queen Elizabeth will undergo a busy period of operations this autumn, which will extend into early 2027. She is currently on standby to serve as flagship of Nato’s leading high readiness naval force, but will soon take up the mantle of Royal Navy flagship from HMS Prince of Wales.
The Royal Navy said the 65,000 tonne warship is on her journey back to the front line after her first re-certification in Rosyth. “This autumn’s training – split between UK waters and the eastern Atlantic – lays the groundwork for more complex workouts in 2027, including Nato’s Exercise Steadfast Defender.
“The carrier is Nato’s command ship – the alliance’s crest is emblazoned on her forward island – until mid-2027, and would lead a multinational naval force in a global crisis; a staff has been embarked for the past few weeks getting used to life on board and determining how they would operate if activated.”
Air operations are expected to resume during this period. Before this can take place, the ship’s company have to prove they can deal with emergencies by conducting association training drills. These include crash on deck trials, recovery of pilot drills and fire operations to save casualties in one of the engine rooms.
Further drills with Merlin and Wildcat helicopters are planned. They have recently been put through their paces by launching and recovering, refuelling on the go, and aircraft handler workouts. This allowed three pilots to earn their deck landing qualifications. It also ensured the ship earned her certification for daytime rotary aviation operations.
A complex hybrid air wing will then deploy on the carrier, including F-35B fighter jets, helicopters and drones. The ship’s gunnery department has recently been in action to test their marksmanship skills during day and night exercises, primarily using machine guns.
HMS Queen Elizabeth took a recent pause in intensive operational training to visit Belfast, Northern Ireland. Her four-day visit marked the first time a Royal Navy carrier paid a visit since HMS Centaur in the summer of 1965.
Belfast has a storied background of naval heritage, being the birthplace of Second World War carriers HMS Eagle and Glorious, as well as her namesake HMS Belfast. New Fleet Solid Support Ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are currently being built in the capital.
During her visit, HMS Queen Elizabeth hosted numerous high profile engagement events. These included cadets, members of the Royal Navy Association and families of the Army’s Northern Ireland-based 38th Brigade.
Commanding Officer Captain Claire Thompson said: “It has been a huge honour for us to be the first Queen Elizabeth-class carrier to visit Belfast and is a real proof of concept for future visits. We will definitely strive to get back within a shorter timeframe than the previous 61-year gap between aircraft carriers.
“Our visit has highlighted the strong maritime heritage the Royal Navy shares with the community and with industry in the city, and has provided an opportunity for a significant number of my sailors to have their first port visit since joining the ship. The city’s reaction to having us here has been outstanding; warm and very welcoming, for which we are very grateful.”