Portsmouth naval base
Her Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Portsmouth is one of three operating bases for the Royal Navy, with almost two-thirds of the surface fleet situated here, including the HMS Illustrious, which is the flagship of the active fleet.
Portsmouth has been one of the Navy’s main dockyards throughout its long history. The base itself was established in 1194 and is currently a major employer in the Portsmouth area, with 17,200 people and some 750 businesses who form a supply chain to the base.
The Naval Base is also home to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, which allows visitors to view HMS Warrior, HMS Victory, the oldest commissioned warship in the world, and the wreck of the Mary Rose.
Along with its rich past, HMNB is also forward-looking. There is a 10-year, £200 million development plan that would enhance the Naval Base. It is hoped that it will help support and improve access for the new aircraft carriers that are due to be completed by 2014. At the same time, two new ‘supercarriers’, HMS Queen Elizabeth II and HMS Prince of Wales, will partly be built in Portsmouth. In this way, HMNB can continue to be an outstanding example of commitment and endeavour.