Scotland

Illustrious prepares for Arctic training

The Royal Navy carrier HMS Illustrious is heading to the Arctic Circle for arduous cold weather training.

She will first stock up on ammunition and stores at Glenmallan in Argyll before travelling further north to join ships from Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden for the NATO exercise.

During the eight-week Exercise Cold Response, Illustrious will embark her Lynx and Sea King helicopters along with a company of Royal Marines from Plymouth-based 42 Commando. The Royal Marines will be joined ashore by landing forces from the Netherlands and the United States. Amphibious assault ship HMS Bulwark will also be taking part.

Illustrious will then take over as the UK’s high-readiness helicopter and commando carrier, ready for action anywhere in the world.

Captain Martin Connell, the Commanding Officer of HMS Illustrious, said: “Operating and fighting in extreme weather is just one vital part of a global capability and it is important that we exercise it from time to time.

“This exercise inside the Arctic Circle will be a stiff test but it marks a significant milestone in preparing to take over as the UK’s sole high readiness helicopter carrier later in the year.”