Delays in testing super-carrier ship at sea are branded a ‘farce’ by lord
DELAYS in the start of sea trials of the largest vessel in the Royal Navy’s history, the £6 billion super-carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, have descended into “farce”, according to a peer.
The vessel, built at Rosyth dockyard in Fife, weighs 65,000 tonnes and measures 918ft in length and according to one senior officer will “pack enormous punch” to the navy’s capability.
However, shadow Lords defence spokesman Lord Touhig said sea trials for the multi-billion-pound aircraft carrier had been put back from the spring to the summer. “This milestone in Britain’s maritime history is turning into a farce,” he said, adding that ministers should “come clean”, explain what had caused the delay and give a firm date for sea trials.
Defence minister Earl Howe said the carrier was currently undergoing harbour trials and sea trials would begin on successful completion of this phase.
“This is about the need to test systems,” he told peers. “The Queen Elizabeth class carriers are the largest and most complex warships ever built in this country.
“It is essential we thoroughly test the ship’s many complex systems before she begins sea trials.”
The work was within the “tolerance” of the contract schedule.
Labour former chief of the naval staff Lord West of Spithead said: “We should be extremely proud of these carriers.”