Britain’s biggest and most powerful warship will ‘strike fear into the hearts of our enemies’ Russia and North Korea, the Defence Secretary today said.
Gavin Williamson made the declaration after he touched down by helicopter aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth, the new 280-metre 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier.
The newly-appointed defence chief toured the £3billion carrier as it completed its latest round latest round of sea trials off the south coast.
Mr Williamson used his first official visit aboard a Royal Navy vessel to fire a warning shot to Russia – saying the carrier is the most powerful in the world.
It comes after Theresa May used a speech earlier this week to launch her strongest ever attack on Moscow over its use of cyber espionage and warn them ‘we are watching you’.
Gavin Williamson touched down by helicopter to tour HMS Queen Elizabeth for his first official visit of a Royal Navy vessel since he became Defence Secretary
Mr Williamson said the carrier will strike fear ito the hearts of Britain’s enemies like North Korea and Russia as he was given the guided tour by Captain Jerry Kyd
Gavin Williamson, pictured with captain Jerry Kyd aboard the vessel, was making his first visit to a Royal Navy ship since he was given the top job two weeks ago
Speaking aboard the Queen Elizabeth he said the carrier will give Britain an ‘amazing capability’.
He said: ‘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.’
Embarking on to the four-acre flight deck on Thursday, Mr Williamson was met by commanding officer Captain Jerry Kyd, before enthusiastically touring the ship and speaking to the crew.
Whilst on board he announced the Queen would formally commission the ship into the Royal Navy on December 7 in a statement to the world about Britain’s ambition.
Mr Williamson, pictured aboard the Queen Elizabeth, said the carrier will give Britain an ‘amazing capability’
Gavin Williamson spoke to Navy personnel aboard the carrier, which was completing maneuvers off the south coast
Crew members onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth lined up to be inspected by the new defence chief, who was promoted to the top job after Sir Michael Fallon quit following allegations of sex harassment
Mr Williamson, pictured aboard the carrier today, said Britain can take ‘great pride’ in the mighty vessel, which will help beef up our security
He said: ‘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.’
During her working life the ship can be pressed into action for various tasks such as high intensity war fighting 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 to undertake missions.
The UK currently has 13 F-35s in the United States being tested ahead of flight trials off the ship next year, with one more plane being delivered by the end of 2017.
Mr Williamson, pictured aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth, was promoted from chief whip to Defence Secretary a fortnight ago. His dramatic promotion sparked criticism from within the Tory ranks and among some in the Armed Forces
Mr Williamson was given a tour of the control room during his visit to the mighty carrier. During the trip he said the carrier is the most powerful in the world
Capt Kyd said he and the ship’s company were delighted to host the Defence Secretary and give him the ‘full exposure of the best the Royal Navy has to offer.
‘Clearly he is a new pair of eyes and he’s been intrigued to meet a lot of the ship’s company and get a sense of the culture and the philosophy of the ship – and to see what the nation has bought.’
In her speech at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet earlier this week Mrs May accused Russia of spreading fake news and interfering in European elections.
She said President Vladimir Putin’s regime was trying to ‘sow discord in the West’.
In a direct message to the Kremlin, the Prime Minister warned: ‘We know what you are doing. And you will not succeed.’
She said Russia was waging a ‘campaign of cyber espionage and disruption’, including hacking the German parliament and the Danish defence ministry.