F-35 Jets Will Be "The Final Piece Of The Jigsaw" For HMS Queen Elizabeth

Embarking the F-35 stealth fighter jets onto HMS Queen Elizabeth for flight trials next year will be the "final piece of the jigsaw", the ship's commanding officer has said.

Captain Jerry Kyd and his ship's company of around 700 plus 200 contractors, are currently carrying out the second phase of sea trials - putting the radios and radars on the £3 billion behemoth through their paces.

He said it has been a "very successful period" and that he hopes the 65,000-tonne vessel will soon return to Portsmouth.

Next year flight trials using the F-35 jets, Britain's new multimillion pound warplanes, will take place off the four-acre flight deck.

Pressed on how the crew are feeling ahead of that next step, Cpt Kyd said:

"We have worked so hard to get this ship to where it is now and built - but it is the final piece of the jigsaw - getting the aircraft embarked.

"The F35-B joint strike fighter is the pinnacle of what we have this aircraft carrier for. There is massive excitement, we can't wait to get on there in the United States next summer."

The Queen will formally commission Britain's biggest and most powerful warship into the Royal Navy next month.

She will embark on to her aircraft carrier namesake in December, the Defence Secretary has announced.

Whilst on board HMS Queen Elizabeth, the 280-metre, 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier, Gavin Williamson revealed the monarch will visit the ship for a formal ceremony on December 7th.

Landing on the £3 billion carrier for the first time as she undertook the latest phase of sea trials, Mr Williamson said it was an honour to visit the vessel and meet the crew:

"In a world of intensifying global threats, this magnificent ship will be a leading force fighting to protect the values of the UK and our allies."

"I'm sure Her Majesty will be similarly impressed at next month's historic ceremony for the nation's new flagship, which proudly bears her name."

Mr Williamson added "you'd have to have no heart or soul not to be moved by such an amazing and impressive ship".

When questioned about the relevance of the aircraft carriers in protecting the UK from emerging threats over the coming years, he said it gave Britain an "amazing capability".

"Let's not underestimate the growing threat from Russia and North Korea. These are countries that want to damage Britain, these are countries that want to undermine Britain."

"When Russia sees this aircraft carrier - they have nothing like it in the world. This is the finest aircraft carrier in the world - it is leagues ahead of any other nation.

"We should take a great amount of pride in that, and we can use this to strike fear into the hearts of all our enemies and that is what it is designed to do, and I am sure that is what it will do."

"This is very much about how Britain can project its influence and its power right across the world,"

"It is how we can say to the rest of the world, we are not a nation in retreat, we are a nation that wishes to play a significant part in world affairs."

The ship will return to her home naval base in Portsmouth ahead of the commissioning ceremony.

Her Majesty will visit the vessel for the first time since being formally named by her in 2014.

Members of the Royal Family and a host of government and military dignitaries will also attend the ceremony before the Queen offers a few words as Lady Sponsor.

During the ceremony, the commissioning warrant will also be read and the White Ensign raised, which will signify the acceptance of HMS Queen Elizabeth into the Royal Navy fleet.

As he landed by Merlin helicopter on to the four-acre flight deck of the ship, which has been sailing around the south coast of England, Mr Williamson was met by the Commanding Officer and crew.

Captain Jerry Kyd said he was delighted to be able to welcome Mr Williamson on board during what he called a "very exciting time" for the ship and the Royal Navy:

"We spoke about the progress made on our trials so far and the exciting future ahead as the UK regenerates its strike carrier capability."

"We're glad the Defence Secretary took the time to visit us and really get under the skin of this aircraft carrier and see for himself the enormous potential of this ship that will be deployed across the globe for the next half-century."

The ship will be used for various tasks, such as high-intensity warfighting or providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

She will also serve as a floating military base for the F-35B stealth fighter jets that will launch from the deck of the vessel to undertake missions.

The UK currently has 12 F-35s in the United States being tested ahead of flight trials off the ship next year - with two more planes being delivered by the end of 2017.