UK: HMS Illustrious Replenishes at Sea

HMS Illustrious tops up her fuel tanks ready for her arrival in the Philippines.

The Portsmouth based amphibious helicopter carrier met with Australian tanker HMAS Sirius in the South China Sea roughly halfway through the 1200 nautical mile journey between Singapore and the Philippines.

HMS Illustrious had left Singapore the previous day after loading around 500 tons of relief supplies.

The Royal Australian Navy had kindly loaned the use of HMAS Sirius to support HMS Illustrious as the carrier prepares to deliver humanitarian assistance following the impact of Typhoon Haiyan.

The replenishment demonstrates the close working relationship and interoperability between the two navies.

It is relationships of this sort with key allies that allow the Royal Navy to deploy globally to deliver effect at reach.

HMAS Sirius is the first ship of the name to be commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy.

She is named after the first HMS Sirius which was the flagship of the first fleet of British convicts to be sent to Australia in 1788

HMS Illustrious is expected to relieve HMS Daring in the Philippines around 25th November.

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Press Release, November 27, 2013; Image: Royal Navy