Next important duties for HMS Queen Elizabeth as Portsmouth aircraft carrier 'set to respond swiftly'

A Royal Navy aircraft carrier has been prepared for a new assignment after a Nato flag was raised in Portsmouth.

HMS Queen Elizabeth will take charge of Nato’s premier maritime force and will be ready to respond for the next 12 months. The alliance flag was raised to signify her role as leading the high readiness force.

Rear Admiral Mark Anderson has assumed command of the Allied Reaction Force (Maritime) (ARF(M)). This is the maritime component of NATO’s response to international crises, where forces on land, at sea, and in the air, are tasked with defending and deterring anywhere it’s deployed. HMS Queen Elizabeth will be the Afloat Command Platform, from which Rear Admiral Anderson and his battle staff will command and coordinate ARF maritime operations, if activated, during the UK’s 12-month duty.

He said: “The UK remains committed to NATO and taking command of the maritime component of the ARF is a clear demonstration to partners and allies that the Royal Navy will play its part in responding swiftly and effectively to crisis.”

Command of the ARF maritime force was transferred to Rear Admiral Anderson, Commander of the United Kingdom Strike Forces, and his staff, from the Spanish Navy during a ceremony at the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Italy Headquarters near Milan last week.

UK Strike Forces is the Royal Navy’s most senior ‘fighting’ battle staff for planning, coordinating and executing operations, and designed to lead UK task forces as well as multinational missions, including with NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force.

Rear Admiral Anderson and the Commanding Officer of Queen Elizabeth, Captain Claire Thompson, delivered speeches to mark the start of this endeavour to gathered sailors and Royal Marines during the ceremony on July 2. The ARF(M) will now be primed to conduct operations at the direction of NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, who would deploy the relevant warships, naval air power and support vessels to react to a crisis.

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The Allied Reaction Force as a whole is held at high-readiness and is designed to facedown many modern-day challenges that require a coordinated response, including hybrid warfare, terrorism and cyber-attacks. The ARF includes land, maritime, air, special operations forces, cyber, space, logistics and strategic communications elements, provided by NATO member countries.

HMS Queen Elizabeth returned to Portsmouth in April 2026 after a spell on the side-lines at the Rosyth dry dock in Scotland. This was after completing the second phase of her repairs and enhancements programme. A period of sea trials followed to prepare her and the crew for future operations. Alongside her new assignment, the UK is taking command of the Alliance’s high readiness special operations force for the first time.

Spearheading its maritime element are Royal Marines of 42 Commando, who form the Special Operations Maritime Task Group. This provides the Alliance with elite troops able to deploy at extremely short notice to carry out missions such as recapturing vessels and oil rigs. Specialists are drawn from across the Royal Navy and UK Commando Force, including pilots, boarding teams, engineers and boat operators.