HMS Queen Elizabeth to depart Portsmouth for sea trials and planned overhaul
HMS Queen Elizabeth is due to set sail this afternoon
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth sails from Portsmouth today at the end of the first phase of planned maintenance.
The carrier will conduct essential sea trials to test newly-installed navigation and propulsion control systems in UK waters, before sailing to Rosyth in Scotland for a scheduled period in dry dock.
The ship is currently undergoing the equivalent of a car MOT at the end of a busy six years, which included a major global deployment to the Indo-Pacific in 2021 and leading NATO operations across European waters.
The first nine months of the overhaul has seen HMS Queen Elizabeth undergo engineering work in Portsmouth and the ship’s company conduct essential training to be ready for sea trials – as well as development courses for sailors and officers.
The second phase over the coming months will see the aircraft carrier placed in dry dock at the Babcock Dockyard in Rosyth – providing the opportunity to inspect and improve systems inaccessible when the ship is afloat.
Captain Claire Thompson, HMS Queen Elizabeth’s Commanding Officer, said: “The departure of HMS Queen Elizabeth from Portsmouth marks the end of one phase of our upkeep period and the beginning of another.
“We have achieved an enormous amount in 2025, with a significant upgrade to our propulsion system being the most notable item amidst a wide range of engineering projects tackled alongside our partners from industry.
“This engineering work has happened concurrently with a rigorous training programme, to ensure my ship’s company are safe to operate at sea.
“Although HMS Queen Elizabeth is now due a seven-month docking period in Rosyth after a short period of sea trials, my focus remains generating a highly capable team that can take the ship from our docking period and work towards front-line duties.”
Ultimately, the work being carried out now will set the aircraft carrier up for the next phase of the ship’s career with the Royal Navy.
Sea trials will include Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST) teams coming aboard to assess the 500-strong ship’s company’s ability to deal with a range of on-board emergencies – including damage control and fire and floods training.
Once in Rosyth, sailors and officers will be in accommodation in HMS Caledonia next to the Babcock Dockyard and some in Portsmouth.
The crew will also take the opportunity to engage with Scottish affiliates.