HMS Queen Elizabeth: Royal Navy carrier to return to sea after months following 'fantastic progress' - when
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HMS Queen Elizabeth has been in the dry dock in Rosyth for repairs
A Royal Navy aircraft carrier is set to return to sea after spending several months on the side-lines.
HMS Queen Elizabeth is expected to leave Rosyth in Scotland after being based at the dry dock where she was built. As reported in the UK Defence Journal, temporary airspace restrictions over the Firth of Forth, which covers operations linked to a Royal Navy aircraft carrier.
A restricted area will be in force between April 19 and 24 in the vicinity of North Queensferry. The measures, introduced under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016, are intended to support national defence and security during the carrier’s movement.
The UK Defence Journal said these restrictions include prohibiting un-manned aircraft from flying below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within a defined area over the Firth of Forth between 1am on April 19 and 11pm on April 24.
What has been going on with HMS Queen Elizabeth?
HMS Queen Elizabeth left Portsmouth on July 16, 2025, and was greeted by cheering crowds along The Hot Walls. The former Royal Navy flagship, which cost around £3.2bn to build, undertook various sea trials to train her crew and test systems en-route to Scotland.
She was placed into a seven-month docking period once she arrived in Rosyth in September last year. As previously reported in The News, this month is the seven-month cut-off point for when she’s expected to be readied for operations.
The 65,000 tonne vessel was originally dispatched to Scotland after mechanical problems were found alongside HMNB Portsmouth. Issues were identified during routine machinery trials.
Commanding Officer Captain Claire Thompson previously said “significant upgrades” were made to the warship’s propulsion systems, alongside other modifications. HMS Queen Elizabeth is currently in the second phase of her maintenance programme, with the initial stage taking nine months to complete. She has not been on a major deployment for more than a year.
Vice Admiral Steve Moorhouse, former Commanding Officer of HMS Queen Elizabeth, visited the ship’s company in March. In a social media statement, he said: “As a former CO, great to be back with HMS Queen Elizabeth and see the fantastic progress they’ve made as they prepare to return to sea. Brilliant sailors doing brilliant things.”
HMS Queen Elizabeth hit the headlines, alongside HMS Prince of Wales, following insults from US President Donald Trump. He brazenly described the carriers as “toys” and said they “don’t work” in a separate tirade.