Watch: HMS Queen Elizabeth's Ceremonial 'Cheer Ship' For Japanese Destroyers

HMS Queen Elizabeth has given a ceremonial 'cheer ship' to mark the steam past of Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force ships JS Ise and JS Asahi following Exercise Noble Union.

The Carrier Strike Group (CSG21) took part in the exercise, which saw Japan, the US and CSG21 integrated and operating together.

They had been supporting interoperability with like-minded nations demonstrating the flexibility of the UK Carrier Strike Group.

Last week, the UK's Carrier Strike Group carried out a first-time replenishment at sea (RAS) conducted by the US Navy's USS America and HMS Defender.

HMS Defender received fuel from USS America in the Philippine Sea, making it the first time a British warship has conducted a RAS with a US Navy amphibious assault ship.

The Carrier Strike Group was declared ready for operations in January ahead of HMS Queen Elizabeth's first operational deployment.

The UK's Carrier Strike Group is expected to reach Full Operating Capability by December 2023, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has said.

Watch: Timelapse as HMS Queen Elizabeth receives live munitions replenishment.

Cover image: HMS Queen Elizabeth take part in a ceremonial 'cheer ship' (Picture: HMS Queen Elizabeth Twitter).