Royal Navy HMS Queen Elizabeth to be deployed to South China Sea for military drills.

According to reports from the British media, the Royal Navy’s brand new £3 billion aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth will be deployed to the South China Sea to take part in military drills with the US Navy and Japan Maritime Self Defense Forces.
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The HMS Queen Elizabeth is expected to conduct military drills with the United States and Japan. (Picture source: DANIEL SHEPHERD/MOD/PA)

The HMS Queen Elizabeth will set sail next year according to new plans from military chiefs.

HMS Queen Elizabeth expected to visit the Far East during grand maiden voyage. The £3billion aircraft carrier will reportedly carry out joint military exercises. It comes amid growing political tension between the government and Beijing Ministry of Defence says no decision has yet been taken on carrier's deployment

The aircraft carrier is set to be accompanied by a fleet of warships, including two Type 45 destroyers and two frigates. HMS Queen Elizabeth will also be deployed with two squadrons of F-35B Lightning II jets, likely to be from the RAF and the US Marine Corps.

Type 45 Destroyer. (Picture source: Save the Royal Navy)

Plans have also been drawn up to send sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, to the region when it finishes training. The aircraft carrier is said to be around 18 months behind HMS Queen Elizabeth in terms of battle readiness.

The Times revealed that the deployment is meant to counter an increasingly aggressive China.