Royal Navy Carrier Docks In Hamburg

The Royal Navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth is paying a visit to Hamburg to mark a key new defence accord between Britain and Germany.

The flagship of the British fleet sailed up the River Elbe into the port city at the beginning of a five-day stay where she will be used as a floating conference venue by ministers and diplomats from the two nations, according to a recent RN press statement.

Some 300 officials will be putting meat on the bones of the recently signed Trinity House Agreement, a pact seeking to boost security, job-creation and investment for both nations. The visit marks the first time in 13 years that a British carrier has berthed in the city.

Before docking in Hamburg the Queen Elizabeth had been conducting a series of military drills with German NH90 and Navy Lynx Mk88 helicopter crews in the North Sea; during the visit work will also continue on developing unmanned systems for use against warships and in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW).

HMS Queen Elizabeth’s Commanding Officer, Captain Will King, said: “As you would expect during a visit to one of our closest NATO allies there is a busy programme of defence engagement, but everyone on the ship will get a chance to explore the city, whose proud maritime heritage is very similar to our home in Portsmouth."

• You can read more details on the Royal Navy website