Royal Navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth returns to Portsmouth after successful repairs and trials.

According to information published by the UK MoD on July 29, 2024, the Royal Navy's flagship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, will return to Portsmouth tomorrow following four months of repairs and a series of trials at sea.
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Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. (Picture source: UK MoD)

The 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier underwent unscheduled maintenance at Rosyth Dockyard in Scotland to address issues with her shaft lines. Arriving in March, the ship left Rosyth a week ago, ahead of schedule, and has since been conducting intensive sea trials.

These trials have included rigorous tests of marine engineering systems, high-speed sailing, and aggressive maneuvers to ensure the ship's readiness. The crew also participated in a variety of training exercises such as boat drills, damage control, and intelligence briefings to prepare for upcoming operations.

Before docking at Portsmouth, HMS Queen Elizabeth will perform a sail past of the Isle of Wight, exchanging gun salutes with the Royal Yacht Squadron during the ongoing Cowes Week regatta, where HMS Tyne serves as the guardship.

Commander Alex Davies highlighted the collaborative effort between the Royal Navy, Defence Equipment & Support, and Babcock in completing the repairs and trials. As the flagship returns to her home port, the Royal Navy prepares for a new phase of operations, with HMS Queen Elizabeth ready to lead.

About the aircraft carrier

HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy's flagship, has faced a series of technical problems since its commissioning. One of the most significant issues was with its starboard propeller shaft coupling, discovered during routine pre-sailing checks.

This issue was critical enough to delay the ship's departure for a high-profile NATO exercise, leading to HMS Prince of Wales stepping in to fulfill the mission​.

Additionally, HMS Queen Elizabeth has experienced other mechanical issues, such as a serious fault that left the ship without propulsion just before a major flood affected the vessel.