These new computer-generated images put into context the huge scale of the largest warships ever built for the Royal Navy.
The Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA) has released a series of powerful posters illustrating the sheer size of the warships.
The computer-generated images show the warships dwarfing some of the country's most recognisable landmarks.
Scroll down for video
Sheer scale: This computer-generated image puts into context the huge size of the largest warship ever built for the Royal Navy
Another notable poster is of the under-construction HMS Queen Elizabeth berthed alongside in Portsmouth, Hants.
The ACA is a consortium of defence companies behind the construction of Portsmouth's newest carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.
Ian Booth, programme director of the ACA, said: 'These posters depict the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers in front of the Houses of Parliament and in Portsmouth.
'They're stunning images and show that two really spectacular ships can be expected once construction is complete.'
A computer-generated image released last year showed how HMS Queen Elizabeth would look alongside at Portsmouth Naval Base.
The images reveal the length of the ship is the equivalent of 28 London buses and is almost three times the size of Buckingham Palace.
Around 80,000 tonnes of steel will be used for the two ships, three times that used in Wembley Stadium
Naval might: A computer generated image showing the size of the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier if it was in Portsmouth
Massive: This comparison of the new aircraft carrier shows it size in comparison to a London bus, Buckingham Palace and a Type 45 destroyer
The carriers are 280m in length, 65,000 tonnes and capable of transporting 40 aircraft - twice the capacity of HMS Illustrious.
They are being constructed at shipyards around the country and taken for assembly at Rosyth in Scotland.
The Aircraft Carrier Alliance is formed of BAE Systems, Babcock, Thales and the Ministry of Defence.
Portsmouth South MP Mike Hancock said: 'This is superb and great news - it's going to benefit the city and the country on many different levels.
'I can't wait to see the work being completed and then seeing these ships in Portsmouth.'
Prince Harry has arrived Down Under to welcome a fleet of warships, galleons and tall ships from around the world into Sydney harbour.
The prince, who was spotted getting out of a car in Sydney this afternoon, is set to review the impressive fleet tomorrow in celebration of the Royal Australian Navy's centenary.
He will join thousands of spectators, sailors and ship gazers in commemorating 100 years since the navy fleet's first visit to the city in 1913.
Scroll down for video
Arrival: Prince Harry has arrived in Sydney, Australia, ahead of his appearance at the harbour tomorrow
Powering in: Warships from around the world have sailed in to Sydney harbour as the city celebrates the Australian navy's centenary. Thousands of spectators gathered along the harbour to welcome the 20-strong international fleet, including boats from the US, China, Spain, France, Sinapore and Britain
Royal support: The warships will join Prince Harry in commemorating 100 years since the Royal Australian Navy fleet's first visit to Sydney in October 1913
Commemorative: About 40 warships, plus 16 tall ships, will participate in the International Fleet Review on Saturday - including the HM Bark Endeavour (pictured)
Earlier today, crowds gathered along the harbour to welcome a 20-strong fleet of international warships, including boats from the US, China, Spain, France, Singapore and Britain.
The habour was a buzz of activity, with crowds cheering, sailors saluting and helicopters putting on displays while flying the Australian navy flag.
Police were also patrolling the waters to keep yachts, jet skis and other watercraft a safe distance from the warships.
Seven Australian warships entered the harbour in line - imitating the actions of the first Australian navy fleet of seven cruisers on October 4, 1913.
Dozens of sailers in ceremonial uniforms lined the decks of the boats and saluted as they sailed in to the iconic harbour, which is home to both the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
 
Greeting: The prince waves at fans, before being escorted to his official Sydney residence, which is nestled beside the harbour
Massive: The event is expected to feature more than 60 aircraft, 8,000 sailors and a huge firework display. Above, China's PLAN Qingdao anchors in Sydney Harbor
The habour was a buzz of activity, with crowds cheering, sailors saluting and helicopters putting on displays while flying the Australian navy flag.
Police were also patrolling the waters to keep yachts, jet skis and other watercraft a safe distance from the warships.
Seven Australian warships entered the harbour in line - imitating the actions of the first Australian navy fleet of seven cruisers on October 4, 1913.
Dozens of sailers in ceremonial uniforms lined the decks of the boats and saluted as they sailed in to the iconic harbour, which is home to both the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Busy: The habour was a buzz of activity today, with crowds cheering, sailors saluting and helicopters putting on displays while flying the Australian navy flag
Safety: Police were also patrolling the waters to keep yachts, jet skis and other watercraft a safe distance from the warships. Above, Britian's HMS Daring sails past Sydney Harbour Bridge
Imitation: Seven Australian warships entered the harbour in line - imitating the actions of the first Australian navy fleet of seven cruisers on October 4, 1913
Smart: Dozens of sailers in ceremonial uniforms lined the decks of the boats as they sailed in to the iconic harbour
They were greeted by blue skies and calm waters - better conditions than the wind and rain that welcomed a fleet of tall ships, led by the STS Young Endeavour and HM Bark Endeavour, into the harbour yesterday.
The Navy Helicopter Display Team and the RAAF Roulettes put on a show for the crowds, while a contingent of Royal Australian Navy ships performed a 21-gun salute, according to the guardian.
Visiting military bands are also performing at Sydney Opera House and the Maritime Museum throughout the day.
About 40 warships, plus 16 tall ships, will participate in the International Fleet Review tomorrow, which is the main event commemorating the arrival of the original Royal Australian Navy fleet a century ago.
Iconic: The harbour is home to both the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Above, China's warship docks in front of the Opera House
Display: The Navy Helicopter Display Team and RAAF Roulettes put on a show for the crowds, while a contingent of Royal Australian Navy ships performed a 21-gun salute
Music: Visiting military bands are also performing at Sydney Opera House (pictured) and the Maritime Museum throughout the day
Magnificent: The Royal Australian Navy's warship HMAS Sydney, which was sunk by a German ship in November 1941 (file pic)
Governor-General Quentin Byrce, who represents Australia's head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, will officially review the fleet during the event, which is expected to feature more than 60 aircraft, 8,000 sailors and a huge firework display. There will also be an appearance by Prince Harry.
Among the international participators - coming from 17 nations - are China's PLAN Qingdao, the US's Chosin, Singapore's RSS Endeavour and the Royal Malaysian Navy's KD Jebat.
The Defense Department said warships had also been sent by Britain, Brunei, Micronesia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Spain, Thailand and Tonga.
Rainy: A fleet of tall ships, led by the STS Young Endeavour and HM Bark Endeavour, were welcomed into the harbour in windy conditions yesterday
Review Governor-General Quentin Byrce, who represents Australia's head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, will officially review the fleet during the event
PLANS QINGDAO, HMS DARING AND USS CHOSIN: THE INTERNATIONAL WARSHIPS SAILING IN TO SYDNEY HARBOUR
Among the armada of more than 55 boats powering in to Sydney harbour today is a 20-strong fleet of international warships.
The US's warship USS Chosin, pictured above, is named in honor of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir of the Korean War
These include:
The Royal Australian Navy vessels participating in the event include HMAS Benalla, HMAS Broome, HMAS Bundaberg, HMAS Darwin, HMAS Diamantina, HMAS Farncomb, HMAS Leeuwin, HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Yarra.
A stunning flotilla of tall ships from around the world sailed into New York City on Wednesday for Fleet Week.
They include stately, old sailing ships like the iconic USCGC Eagle, 'America's Tall Ship,' and and the Colombian ARC Gloria.
But fearsome active-duty warships are also docked at New York's ports. The FNS Pohjanmaa, the mine-laying flagship of the Finnish Navy, and the 567-foot cruiser the USS San Jacinto are among the vessels on display.
The tall ship Cisne Branco, a Brazilian Navy ship, passes the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor while arriving for the 25th annual Fleet Week celebration in New York on Wednesday
Flotilla: The tall ships of Fleet Week strut their way up the Hudson River on a hazy afternoon as they prepare to dock in New York
Warships: Not all the Fleet Week vessels are tall sailing ships. There are 10 active-duty military cruisers, destroyers, and mine layers from the US and four ally nations
This year, Fleet Week will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, a three-year conflict between the nascent American nation and the British Empire.
No fewer than 17 tall ships and ten military vessels will participate in the parade up the Hudson River.
Once docked, hundreds of sailors, marines and coast guardsmen will flood the city to take in the sights and mingle with New Yorkers. New Yorkers, of course, have a long tradition of mingling with them, as well.
The navies of four ally nations will be represented in New York. The aforementioned Finnish minelayer will be available for the public to tour. JS Shirane, a 522-foot destroyer from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, will also dock in the city. The HMCS Iroquois, a 425-foot destroyer that is the unofficial flagship of the Canadian Royal Navy, sailed into New York, along with the British RFA Argus, which is a hospital ship.
The tall ships KRI Dewaruci and Gazela pass the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor
Helicopters and a fire boat pass World Trade Center One as the Fleet Week parade sails into the city
The US Navy Blue Angels fly in formation as they pass over the USS Donald Cook on the Hudson River during the Parade of Ships for the start of Fleet Week. It concludes on Memorial Day with a military flyover to honor those killed while serving in the military. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)
The American warships include the amphibious assault ship the USS WASP, the destroyer USS Donald Cook, which was the first vessel to come to the aid of the USS Cole after it was attacked by suicide bombers in Yemen, and the destroyer USS Mitscher, which is the only
Fleet Week began in New York in 1982 and a way to let recently-deployed service members unwind and feel appreciated by the public.
It is also an exhibition of some of the most elaborate sailing ships in the world.
Perhaps premier among them in the Eagle, which typically leads the Fleet Week flotilla.
The three-masted barque was built in 1936 as a German training ship. It’s now used to train cadets at the Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut.
US Marine Corps and navy personnel stand at the rails of the USS Wasp during its entry into New York Harbor
Sailors line the mast of the tall ship ARC Gloria, training ship and official flagship of the Colombian Navy, as it passes the Statue of Liberty
Members of the US Navy Blue Angels fly over the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan
The US Coast Guard Barque Eagle, 'America's Tall Ship,' sails by the Statue Of Liberty
People watch from a lawn in Battery Park as the USS Mitscher (DDG 57) passes the Statue of Liberty on the Hudson River during the Parade of Ships, which has been held in New York City since 1984
The tall ship from Ecuador Guayas passes the Empire State building
People watch from a pier as a tall ship makes it's way up the Hudson River as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey
Tall ships travel up the Hudson River past the Brooklyn Bridge, as seen from Bayonne, New Jersey
People watch as the Japanese Navy ship, JS Shirane, make its way through the New York Harbor
Sailors on the USS Roosevelt stand at attention as they pass the World Trade Center site as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey
US Navy personnel work on the bridge of the USS Wasp as the amphibious assault ship enters into New York Harbor
Ships travels past the World Trade Center site as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey. Naval vessels ranging from a US amphibious assault ship to a Finnish minelayer are participating
| Evolution of the British Navy: Laser imaging reveals how far its warships have come since HMS Victory's glory days
The British Navy has seen significant changes over the past 200 years, since Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson sailed HMS Victory to glory in the Battle of Trafalgar.
And to celebrate 2014 being the 209th anniversary of Trafalgar Day - when Admiral Nelson hoisted the flag in conquest - BAE Systems has revealed just how far naval engineering has evolved.
Using laser imaging techniques, experts have been able to get under the skin of HMS Victory - the oldest commissioned warship in the world - allowing them to draw direct comparisons between the vessel, and Type 45 Destroyer HMS Defender.
Scroll down for video
+7
The 249-year-old HMS Victory's £50 million conservation program has seen experts from BAE Systems using both advanced laser diagrams and traditional crafting techniques - that would have been the same hundreds of years ago when she was originally built - to identify damage to the vessel (pictured)
Type 45 destroyers are the most recent and advanced class of ships built by the navy. They replaced the previous Type 42 models.
Type 45s are also known as D, or Daring-class, are were primarily designed for anti-aircraft and anti-missile warfare.
HMS Defender is one of the newest commissioned ships in the Royal Navy fleet, recently deployed to the Gulf as part of the international coalition against ISIL.
Teams of shipbuilders and engineers have been able to examine and compare aspects of both vessels, to look at how things have evolved on the seas, and below decks.
BAE Systems is working on both the completed construction and maintenance of Type 45 vessels, and also the ongoing conservation of HMS Victory.
 
+7
Using laser imaging techniques, naval engineers have been able to get under the skin of HMS Victory (pictured) - the oldest commissioned warship in the world - allowing them to draw direct comparisons between the vessel and Type 45 Destroyer HMS Defender
+7
BAE Systems is working on both the completed construction and maintenance of Type 45 vessels, including HMS Defender (pictured) and also the ongoing conservation of HMS Victory. While at sea, HMS Victory would have displaced 3,500 tonnes, making it twice as light as HMS Defender that displaces 8,000 tonnes
The 249-year-old ship's £50 million conservation program has seen experts from BAE Systems using both advanced laser diagrams and traditional crafting techniques - that would have been the same hundreds of years ago when she was originally built - to identify damage to the vessel and help restore it for another decade.
Whilst out at sea, Admiral Nelson's flagship would have displaced 3,500 tonnes in the water, making it twice as light as HMS Defender which displaces 8,000 tonnes of seawater by comparison.
Despite this, HMS Defender would be the more agile of the two in battle, using its twin WR21 Gas Turbine engines - each capable of lighting the city of Leicester - to hit a top speed of 30 knots (55 km/h).
This is compared to the eight to nine knots (15 km/h) top speed offered by the 37 sails on the wooden masts of HMS Victory.
+7
This graphic shows how the two vessels compare in terms of length, crew size, cost and armament
+7
The researchers used a Leica HDS6000 scanner capable of measuring at a density of 1mm. They could then use these high-resolution scans to create detailed images for detailed surface modelling. Areas of the ship can be enhanced, rotated, labelled and annotated using specialist software
At 227ft (69 metres) in length, HMS Victory is half the size of the 500ft (152 metre) Type 45, and comprised of eight decks as opposed to HMS Defender's 13 levels.
Despite this vast difference in size however, HMS Victory had a crew of 850 seamen, while HMS Defender's crew only numbers less than a quarter of that, with 190 crew members on board.
James Davis, Naval Base Services Director at BAE Systems said: ‘Being able to use innovative technology to compare these two iconic warships has been fascinating.
‘The new research provides an unprecedented level of insight into the power of HMS Victory, and life on board.
+7
Part of the 3D fly-through revealed every nook and cranny of the historic ship. This scan was taken from on top bowsprit of the HMS Victory. The bowsprit extends 110ft from the ship's head
 
At 227ft (69 metres) in length, HMS Victory (left) is half the size of the 500ft (152 metre) Type 45, and is comprised of eight decks as opposed to HMS Defender's (right) 13 levels. Despite this vast difference in size, HMS Victory had a crew of 850 seamen, while HMS Defender's crew consists of 190 members
‘By comparing the findings of the research with the Type 45 vessels, we can see that over the passage of more than two centuries, British naval engineering continues to go from strength to strength.’
Philip Nash, Commanding Officer of HMS Defender, added: ‘Type 45 is the world's most advanced warship, just as HMS Victory was in its time.
‘It is thanks to new research techniques that we are able to look back and marvel at the power of the British naval forces when HMS Victory was in service, and also see just how British naval engineering has evolved - promising a bright future for our Royal Navy.’
FROM THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR TO RESTORATION: HMS VICTORY
HMS Victory has 37 sails flown from three masts and would carry 23 spares during battle (illustrated)
HMS Victory was launched in 1765 at a cost of £67,000 in modern-day figures - the equivalent to building an aircraft carrier.
She was built from 6,000 trees, 90 per cent of which were oak - the equivalent of 100 acres of woodlands.
The HMS Victory has 37 sails flown from three masts and it would carry 23 spare sails during battle.
The total sail area is 6,510 square yards.
The Bowsprit protrudes 110ft (33 metres) from the ship's head.
The Fore mast is 182ft (55 metres) above the waterline, the Main mast extends 250ft (76 metres), the Mizzen mast is 152ft (46 metres) and the Main yard is 102ft tall (31 metres).
A total of 26 miles of cords were used to rig the ship and this was used with 768 blocks, made from elm or ash, were used for the rigging. A further 628 blocks were used for the guns.
Many other blocks were carried for the ground tackle, the ship's boats, storing and spares.
Her top speed is eight to nine knots (15 km/h).
HMS Victory first saw battle in 1778 under Admiral Augustus Keppel in the first Battle of Ushant and again two years later in the second Battle of Ushant.
She was also called into action in the Battle of Cape St Vincent in 1797, but she will always be best known for her pivotal role in the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar under Admiral Lord Nelson.
The battle was a decisive victory for the British but Nelson was fatally wounded.
She continues to be flagship of the Second Sea Lord and is the oldest naval ship still in commission - this means if she was needed the Navy could sail her into battle.
+7
This 3D scan shows the Victory's famous stern. The lines seen on the gallery and along the port and starboard of the ship were based on the design of the HMS Royal George - launched the same year as the Victory, in 1765
Light aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious has obviously been working up a thirst on her latest deployment after she had to be replenished at sea alongside two Royal Fleet Auxilary ships.
A wrecked British ship which fought in the Battle of Jutland has been brought 'back to life' with digital technology to mark the centenary of its sinking.
HMS Falmouth fought in the famous First World War naval clash which took place from 31 May to 1 June 1916, but sank in Bridlington Bay, East Yorkshire, just a few weeks later on 20 August after being torpedoed by U-boats.
A century on, government heritage agency Historic England has used 3D technology and a new seabed survey of the wreck to recreate the ship in its final resting place and bring heritage lost beneath the waves back to life.
Scroll down for video
HMS Famlouth survived the Battle of Jutland in 1916 but was sunk by torpedoes from German U-boats off the Yorkshire coast just two months later. Now Historic England has used 3D computer modelling to bring it back to life a century after it sank (pictured)
The new seabed survey of the site, the only substantial wreck of a Royal Navy warship which fought in the Battle of Jutland now lying in English waters, was carried out in partnership with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Results from the survey have been combined with a digital 3D image of a builder's model of HMS Falmouth, held by the Imperial War Museum at Chatham Historic Dockyard, to produce the 3D image of the ship underwater.Share
Historic England has also commissioned new research into the history and significance of the ship, which has uncovered personal recollections and photographs and collected together official documents which had been split between archives.
HMS Falmouth fought at Jutland, a clash which saw the loss of 6,094 British seamen and 2,551 Germans, as part of Vice Admiral David Beatty's battle cruiser fleet, engaging several German light cruisers and torpedoing the battle cruiser Lutzow.
The HMS Falmouth (pictured at sea shortly before she was commissioned in September 1911) was one of 250 warships to take part in the Battle of Jutland, the largest naval battle of the First World War. During the battle between the German and British fleets in the North Sea, more than 25 ships were sunk and thousands of sailors were killed
Despite surviving the battle, the ship was sunk just a few months later, on 20 August 1916, torpedoed by a German U-Boat, sinking to its final resting place in Bridlington Bay. But experts have used 3D digital modelling to bring it back to life, in an effort to remember the forgotten battle
The battle was a pivotal moment in the war, as the Germans failed to break the blockade of the North Sea by the British.
HMS Falmouth sank a few weeks later after being struck in two separate torpedo attack by German U-boats, with 12 crew members losing their lives.
Wayne Cocroft, senior investigator at Historic England, said: 'Throughout the First World War the sea off our coast was an intensely-fought battlefield with many casualties lost within sight of the shore.
'Aside from war memorials to those lost at sea, the traces of maritime battles are invisible to all but a few.
'Modern technology is now being used to make our underwater heritage accessible to all.
Researchers carried out a sea floor survey of the warship's resting place in Bridlington Bay to create the digital model. Historic England hopes the digital recreation will boost remembrance of the forgotten naval battle
'Digital 3D modelling and computer visualisation can recreate the appearance of lost vessels aiding our understanding and remembrance of this largely forgotten conflict.'
Dr Antony Firth, director of Fjordr Limited, which carried out the new research into HMS Falmouth's history, said: 'The wreck of HMS Falmouth is a key feature of the First World War heritage of England's East Coast and is important for being the only known survivor of all the Town Class light cruisers.
'As well as being a memorial to those who served and died, it is a reminder of the UK's industrial and maritime prowess in the early 20th century.'
The digital 3D model of the wreck can be viewed on the Historic England website.
THE BATTLE OF JUTLAND
During the First World War, commanders of the German fleet tried to catch out the Royal Navy with an ambush in the North Sea.
German Admiral Reinhard Scheer faced off against two Royal Navy fleets, commanded by Adminral Sir David Beatty and Admiral Sir John Jellicoe.
Over the course of two days in the summer of 1916, the resulting confrontation was the largest naval battle of the war. It involved an estimated 250 ships, including many dreadnought class warships, and 100,000 men, and sent thousands of British and German sailors to their graves.
In the fighting which ensued, the British lost 14 warships and more than 6,000 men, with the German fleet losing 11 ships and 2,500 men of its own.
Despite the pounding the British received, the two Royal Navy fleets eventually forced the Germans to turn tail and head back to harbour, proving British Naval dominance.
Source: Imperial War Museum
Over the course of 31 May to 1 June in 1916, the Battle of Jutland proved to be the largest naval battle of the First World War. It involved an estimated 250 ships, including many dreadnought class warships, and 100,000 men, and sent thousands of British and German sailors to their graves. Pictured is a German illustration of U-boats attacking the British fleet with torpedoes
The 22,000-tonne helicopter carrier was connected to RFA Fort Austin, which was transferring stores to RFA Fort Victoria, which in turn was pumping fuel to HMS Illustrious.
At the same time a helicopter was transferring stores to the carrier, affectionately known as Lusty.
Light aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious was replenished at sea alongside two Royal Fleet Auxillary ships. The ship also received stores from a helicopter during the operation
 
HMS Illustrious was connected to RFA Fort Austin which was transferring stores to RFA Fort Victoria, which in turn was pumping fuel to the helicopter carrier
The carrier is currently deployed on Cougar '13, the annual deployment of the UK Armed Forces Maritime Response Force Task Group to the Mediterranean and Gulf region.
The long-planned deployment involves four Royal Navy warships, the lead commando group from 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and elements of naval air squadrons.
The operation also includes the the navy's flagship HMS Bulwark.
Last month HMS Illustrious was part of a Royal Navy taskforce which set sail for Gibraltar as David Cameron prepared to sue Spain over its treatment of the area.
The carrier is currently deployed on Cougar '13, the annual deployment of the UK Armed Forces Maritime Response Force Task Group to the Mediterranean and Gulf region
The journey was part of a long-planned exercise – but government officials said the show of force may have helped ‘focus minds’ in Spain.
AN ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORY
HMS Illustrious was built at Swan Hunters Ship Builders Yard on the Tyne, and subsequently commissioned in her base port of Portsmouth in 1982.
The ship is 209 metres long and weighs 22,000 tonnes.
She has 1,400 compartments and 15 lifts, and has a top speed in excess of 30 knots.
Her role ranges from maritime strikes to evacuation operations.
The ship’s motto, 'Vox Non Incerta', is based on a quote from the Bible and means 'No Uncertain Sound'.
The Cougar '13 deployment will see elements of the Response Task Force Group hone its maritime skills through exercises with a number of key allies.
HMS Illustrious is there to provide escort duties and undertake ongoing counter-piracy operations outside of the exercise programme.
Built at Swan Hunters Ship Builders Yard on the Tyne, HMS Illustrious was subsequently commissioned in her base port of Portsmouth in 1982.
The ship, at 209 metres long and weighing 22,000 tonnes, has 1,400 compartments and 15 lifts, and has a top speed in excess of 30 knots.
In 2011 the Royal Navy's last fixed-wing aircraft carrier was converted into a helicopter carrier and is now capable of carrying a force of up to 20 helicopters and 600 personnel.
Last month HMS Illustrious was part of a Royal Navy taskforce which set sail for Gibraltar as David Cameron prepared to sue Spain over its treatment of the area
... and here's the aircraft carrier of the future
A previously unseen computer generated image has offered a glimpse into what the Royal Navy's two new aircraft carriers will look like.
The £5.5billion Queen Elizabeth-class warships are due to start sea trials in 2017.
The 65,000-tonne floating fortresses - HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales - are due to be fully operational from 2020 meaning they could be deployed to trouble spots around the world.
A previously unseen computer generated image of how the new Queen Elizabeth Class ships, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, as they will look when in service
British sailors have freed five hostages who were held captive by Somali pirates for three months.
A naval boarding party from HMS Cornwall discovered the Yemeni hostages after searching the pirates' sailing boat in the Indian Ocean, the Ministry of Defence said.
The boarding crew also found and destroyed weapons including rocket-propelled grenades, and three skiffs used to launch attacks.
Under arrest: Somali pirates stand with hands on heads at gunpoint after the naval party from HMS Cornwall boarded the boat
HMS Cornwall's commanding officer, Commander David Wilkinson, said: 'Our presence in the area has had a hugely significant effect on the lives of five Yemeni fishermen, who have been freed from over three months of pirate captivity and can now return to their families.
'In addition we have restored a merchant vessel to legitimate use on the high seas and my highly trained team conducted a very slick boarding operation which has ensured that this pirate vessel is no longer able to operate.
Air and sea coordinated response: An Mk8 Lynx helicopter from HMS Cornwall hovers above while the boarding party search the boat
'This demonstrates the reassurance and security offered by the presence in these waters of HMS Cornwall and other warships from Combined Maritime Forces.'
HMS Cornwall was alerted by a South Korean merchant vessel which spotted the Somali dhow acting suspiciously.
The British frigate arrived at the scene with a boarding team supported overhead by a Lynx helicopter.
'A slick operation': The naval boarding party search below deck and find a huge selection of arms which are handed up to those on deck to be destroyed
HMS Cornwall is the Command Platform for Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, the counter-piracy mission of multi-national naval partnership Combined Maritime Force (CMF).
The rescue came as Norwegian shipping magnate Jacob Stolt-Nielsen faced criticism for suggesting pirates captured off the Horn of Africa should be sunk with their skiffs or executed on the spot.
The 79-year-old founder of the Stolt-Nielsen shipping group wrote in Norwegian financial newspaper Dagens Naeringsliv: 'When (piracy) implies a great risk of being caught and hanged, and the cost of losing ships and weapons becomes too big, it will decrease and eventually disappear.
Arsenal: The naval boarding party from HMS Cornwall find AK47's, a grenade launcher, rocket-propelled grenades and large amounts of ammunition on board
'Pirates captured in international waters have always been punished by death, often on the spot.
'Not arrest them and say, 'naughty, naughty, shame on you,' and release them again, but sink their boats with all hands.
'The pirates won't be frightened by being placed before a civilian court.'
Piracy in the busy shipping lanes off Somalia has flourished since its government collapsed in 1991.
The piracy industry has evolved into a multimillion dollar business with almost daily attacks.
Rescue: With HMS Cornwall and a back-up boat nearby, naval crew begin the rescue operation, setting free five hostages in all
|
All over the world in different countries, cultures, tongues, and colors are people who have the same basic desire for happiness and respect from his fellow men. We are the same all over as members of the human race. If we honor each other's boundaries with propriety and consideration our voyage thru life can be rich in knowledge and friendship..........AMOR PATRIAE
All over the world in different countries, cultures, tongues, and colors are people who have the same basic desire for happiness and respect from his fellow men. We are the same all over as members of the human race. If we honor each other's boundaries with propriety and consideration our voyage thru life can be rich in knowledge and friendship..........AMOR PATRIAE
No comments:
Post a Comment