HMS Illustrious takes final bow
After a 32-year career, the last of the Royal Navy's Invincible Class aircraft carriers decommissions in Portsmouth.
www.gov.ukI don’t have live access to current news right now. Here’s what I can share based on recent historical context up to 2024–2025:
- The Invincible-class carriers (HMS Invincible, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Illustrious) were Royal Navy light aircraft carriers built during the late 1970s and 1980s, primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare and VTOL operations with Sea Harriers and Sea King helicopters. This class was gradually retired as newer Queen Elizabeth-class carriers entered service.[3][7]
- HMS Illustrious completed its active service life and was decommissioned in 2014, with its role and legacy referenced in the transition toward newer platforms and the ongoing disposal/recycling plans for older hulls.[2]
- The UK’s future carrier force shifted focus to the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers (HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales), which entered service in the mid-to-late 2010s, representing a substantial step up in capability and aircraft throughput relative to the Invincible class.[1][7]
If you want, I can search for the very latest developments and provide up-to-date news summaries with links. I can also pull a concise timeline of the Invincible-class lifecycle and their replacements for quick reference.