HMS Prince of Wales

The 750t aft island section of the UK Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, has been installed in place on the flight deck of the vessel.

The procedure marks the nearing of the Royal Navy’s second aircraft carrier’s completion.

The Aft island section, which was built in Glasgow, will control aircraft operations aboard HMS Prince of Wales.

"Thanks to the dedication of thousands of workers across the country we are proud to be delivering this critical capability to the Royal Navy."

HMS Prince of Wales delivery director Angus Holt said: "This is a significant day for everyone working for the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, there’s a real sense of excitement to see this important section being assembled on the ship.

"With the second island on the flight deck of HMS Prince of Wales, the scale of the engineering and construction task that the alliance is undertaking is clearly visible.

"Thanks to the dedication of thousands of workers across the country we are proud to be delivering this critical capability to the Royal Navy."

Construction of the HMS Prince of Wales is scheduled for completion in July next year, and it will begin sea trials in January 2019, followed by acceptance in August of the same year.

The first aircraft carrier in this series, HMS Queen Elizabeth, is preparing for scheduled sea trials this year.

Delivered by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, a joint initiative by BAE Systems, Thales UK, Babcock, and the UK Ministry of Defence, both aircraft carriers will represent Britain’s defence capability.


Image: Flying island over Rosyth as iconic structure is installed on HMS Prince of Wales. Photo: courtesy of Royal Navy.