LONDON, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Britain's Defense Secretary Sir Michael Fallon visited Monday the largest and most powerful ship ever built for the Royal Navy.
It was Fallon's first visit to the aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, since she embarked on sea trials off the coast of Scotland several weeks ago.
Fallon landed on the deck of the carrier in a Merlin helicopter. He met with members of the crew and thanked them for their contribution.
Addressing the crew, Fallon announced the Britain's second aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, will be officially named at a ceremony in Rosyth on Sept. 8 this year.
"With two aircraft carriers, we will have one available at all times, providing a world-class carrier strike capability," said Fallon.
"The magnificent HMS Queen Elizabeth provides us with power on a scale we have never seen before...She will be a highly versatile and potent force, capable of both humanitarian and disaster relief and high-end war fighting," he added.
The crew of over 700 Royal Navy and 200 industry personnel have settled in well to the routine of ship's life, said the Ministry of Defense.
The initial period of sea trials, expected to last around six weeks, will test the fundamentals of the ship. The trials are monitoring speed, manoeuvrability, power and propulsion, as well as undertaking weapons trials and additional tests on her levels of readiness.
HMS Queen Elizabeth is expected to enter Portsmouth to be handed over to the Royal Navy later this year.
