The UK Royal Navy has retired its oldest CVS aircraft carrier, HMS Invincible, after 25 years of service, leaving just one operational carrier, Illustrious, in service. Its complement of BAE Systems Sea Harriers and GR7 Harriers will be deployed to Illustrious, which has just undergone a £120 million ($210 million) refit. The Sea Harriers will be retired in 2006 as part of an upgrade programme that will see a mix of Harrier GR7s and GR9s join Illustrious. The navy’s other remaining CVS, Ark Royal, is undergoing a refit and will return to service at the end of 2006.
Source: Flight International