Nato missions see five aircraft carriers - including HMS Queen Elizabeth - patrol Europe as part of 'ironclad' security commitment

The five aircraft carriers are currently operating in Atlantic and Mediterranean waters in a demonstration of NATO unity.

The warships include HMS Queen Elizabeth, FS Charles de Gaulle from France, ITS Cavour from Italy, and USS George H W Bush and USS Gerald R Ford from the USA.

The USS Gerald R Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, spent the week in Stokes Bay, off the coast of Gosport, following a ‘red carpet’ welcome for its crew in Portsmouth.

HMS Queen Elizabeth left Portsmouth last week, heading to the east coast of the UK to undertake fast jet training with her F-35 stealth fighters from RAF 617 Squadron.

She is due to work with northern European allies in the coming weeks.

Although each nation’s forces are operating in support of their own mission objectives, the advanced cooperation is part of a demonstration of Nato unity and the collective defence of the alliance, according to the group’s senior commanders.

Vice Admiral Keith Blount, Commander of NATO’s Allied Maritime Command said: ‘Nato routinely demonstrates its cohesion, coordinating with multiple international maritime assets at once,” said Vice Admiral Keith Blount, Commander of Nato’s Allied Maritime Command.

‘This opportunity demonstrates our ironclad commitment to the stability and security of the Euro-Atlantic Area and the strength of our collective capability.

‘Five carriers within our operating area presents a further opportunity to consolidate our approach to air defence, cross-domain cooperation, and maritime-land integration.’