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Former HMS Illustrious to be recycled
DB News: 23/08/2016 - 11:35
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has announced that the former aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious is to be recycled, following an unsuccessful open competition.
In October 2013, the MOD launched a competition to seek innovative bids to retain the aircraft carrier in the UK, but despite a number of bids being received, none proved to be viable.
The ship has consequently been sold to Turkish company LEYAL Ship Recycling Ltd for around £2 million. Both Invincible and Ark Royal, the sister ships of Illustrious, were also recycled.
During the 32 years of its service, HMS Illustrious covered over 900,000 nautical miles, with operations ranging from the Gulf War to delivering humanitarian aid after Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines in 2013.
Harriett Baldwin, Minister for Defence Procurement, said: “We have done all we can for over two years to find a home for the former HMS Illustrious in the UK, and regrettably all options have now been exhausted.
“It is with a sense of pride for her and her crews’ achievements that we say goodbye to the ship, and we look forward to the arrival in Portsmouth of the UK’s next generation of aircraft carriers.”