MoD seeks ideas to preserve HMS Illustrious

Private companies, charities and trusts are invited to put forward ideas for ship's future use

The aircraft carrier has been in service with the Royal Navy for 32 years

Ministry of Defence is looking for ideas on how best to preserve the last of the Royal Navy's Invincible Class aircraft carriers.

Last year the MoD announced that the 22,000-tonne ship, which is due to retire in 2014, will be preserved in some form. Private companies, charities and trusts interested in buying the vessel are now invited to come forward with ideas for the ship's future use.

The MoD wants the ship to remain in the UK. Bids for the vessel's future use must be viable and include plans for part or all of the ship to be developed for heritage purposes.

HMS Illustrious is currently deployed east of Suez

Defence minister Philip Dunne said: “HMS Illustrious, like her two sister ships Invincible and Ark Royal, has provided an invaluable service to this country over more than three decades.

“This competition will provide the opportunity for organisations to put forward innovative and viable proposals to honour the role and history of this iconic class of ship and all those who served on board them.”


HMS Illustrious at Portsmouth Naval Base

An industry day will be held in 2014, to discuss the submitted proposals. A final decision is expected to be made after the ship is decommissioned and handed over to the Disposal Services Authority.

The UK’s new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, which will replace the Invincible Class ships, are currently under construction. HMS Queen Elizabeth, which is almost complete, will begin sea trials in 2017 before undertaking flight trials with the F-35 Lightning II aircraft in 2018.