UK's new 拢3bn warship HMS Queen Elizabeth arrives in Portsmouth
Theresa May says HMS Queen Elizabeth is a signal that Britain remains "a fully engaged global power" as it forges a new role.
Wednesday 16 August 2017 14:17, UK
Britain's biggest-ever warship has arrived at its base in Portsmouth for the first time.
Hundreds of people lined Portsmouth Harbour to welcome HMS Queen Elizabeth, an aircraft carrier which cost more than £3bn to build.
The 280m (918ft) vessel set sail in June from the Rosyth dockyard where it was built, and since then has been undergoing tests at sea.
Technically, it remains a civilian rather than a military ship until it is commissioned later this year.
It is also an aircraft carrier which does not yet have fixed-wing aircraft on board. F-35B Lightning II jets are still being built and tested in the US, and the ship won't be fully operational until 2020.
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Theresa May, speaking on board, hailed the ship as a symbol of the UK as a "great global maritime nation".
The PM said: "Britain can be proud of this ship and what it represents.
"It sends a clear signal that as Britain forges a new, positive, confident role on the world stage in the years ahead we are determined to remain a fully engaged global power, working closely with our friends and allies around the
world."
"Whether the task be high intensity war-fighting, targeted action to fight terrorism, or humanitarian relief to save lives overseas, these ships will transform the UK's ability to project power around the world," she added.
Those on board and watching from the shore were treated to two separate flypasts of Royal Navy helicopters, the first featuring a Sea King, two Mk2 Merlins and two Mk3 Merlins, which were then joined by two Hawk jets for the second.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: "She is Britain's statement to the world: a demonstration of British military power and our commitment to a bigger global role.
"The thousands of people across the UK who have played a part in building her and her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, should be immensely proud as our future flagship enters Portsmouth."
The behemoth aircraft carrier sailed into the Solent before heading into Portsmouth, where, at its narrowest point, there was less than 20m (66ft) clearance on each side.
The band of the Royal Marines played as the ship slowly navigated into the harbour, which has had to be dredged to make room.
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![A flotilla of small boars surrounded the ship as it entered the harbour. Pic: MoD]()
Image: HMS Queen Elizabeth has arrived back at the Portsmouth Naval Base, where is will be based for its 50-year lifespan. Pic: MoD -
![Both the UK's new aircraft carriers will be based in Portsmouth. Pic: MoD]()
Image: Both the UK's new aircraft carriers will be based in Portsmouth. Pic: MoD -
![HMS Queen Elizabeth arrives in Portsmouth]()
Image: The carrier can accommodate more than 50 aircraft -
![The ship weighs more than 65,000 tonnes and is almost 300 metres long]()
Image: The ship weighs more than 65,000 tons and is almost 300 metres long -
![The ship weighs more than 65,000 tonnes and is almost 300 metres long]()
Image: There were around 1,000 people on board the carrier for her trip into her home port -
![The youngest crew member is 17 and the oldest is 58 - and here's just some of them]()
Image: The youngest crew member of the HMS Queen Elizabeth is 17 and the oldest is 58 - here's just some of them -
![Sailors stand in line as the ship sails into harbour]()
Image: Sailors stand in line on the flight deck as the ship sails into harbour. Pic: MoD -
![HMS Queen Elizabeth will based at Portsmouth Naval Base for its 50-year lifespan]()
Image: A flotilla of small boats surrounded the ship as it approached the harbour -
![The Royal Navy's biggest ever warship is still on sea trials and will not be commissioned into the Royal Navy for another three months]()
Image: The Royal Navy's biggest-ever warship is still on sea trials and will not be commissioned for another three months -
![A police boat escorted HMS Queen Elizabeth as it arrived into Portsmouth Naval Base]()
Image: A police boat escorted the aircraft carrier as it arrived at the base -
![Spectators turned out in force to welcome the ship and its crew to its new home]()
Image: Spectators turned out in force to welcome the ship and its crew to its new home -
![Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon says it is a 'mighty new warship']()
Image: Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has described HMS Queen Elizabeth as a 'mighty new warship'
HMS Queen Elizabeth manoeuvred towards a new extended and reinforced jetty under her own power before tugs nudged her gently into position.
An 820ft (250m) exclusion zone, enforced by armed police in small boats, meant the port was effectively closed to the flotilla of boats that had turned out to greet the ship.
Lt Cdr Neil Twigg, a fast jet pilot responsible for integrating the F-35 fighter jet into the carrier group, said: "We are very ready, there is still a lot more work to be done, the aircraft is still going through its testing programme in America and the ship has still some more sea trials but we are on the right track."
Some members of the public, as well as politicians, have expressed concern over the £3bn price tag for the aircraft carrier.
But Admiral Chris Parry, a former senior Royal Navy officer, told Sky News that HMS Queen Elizabeth offers "real military power" to deter rogue states - as well as terrorist groups such as Islamic State.