A computer generated image of the future aircraft carrier. The British Ministry of Defence will sign contracts with industry to build the two future aircraft carriers. The contracts, worth in the region of 3 billion GBP or 3.8 billion euros, will be signed with the newly-formed UK maritime Joint Venture, BVT Surface Fleet, and the Aircraft Carrier Alliance onboard HMS Ark Royal, one of the Royal Navy's existing aircraft carriers and currently the Fleet Flagship.

 The future aircraft carriers, to be named HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH and HMS PRINCE OF WALES, will be the biggest and most powerful surface warships ever constructed in Britiain. They will provide British forces with world-class capabilities, supporting peace-keeping, conflict prevention and our strategic operational priorities. They will be a highly versatile and potent joint defence asset, able to meet the widest range of tasks.  EPA/MOD / CROWN COPYRIGHT / AIRCRAFT CARRIER ALLIANCE

A British Ministry of Defence (MOD) handout picture showing soldiers carrying the coffin of Pte Daniel Gamble, one of five British soldiers killed in Afghanistan arriving at Royal Air Force (RAF) Lyneham, Britain on 16 June 2008. The bodies arrived at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire to be repatriated. EPA/CREDIT: CPL GABRIEL MORENO/MOD/HANDOUT CROWN COPYRIGHT

Two members of the Queen's Cavalry walk past rows of deckchairs designed by well known British artists and celebrities in London's Hyde Park, Britain, 29 May 2008. Part of a high profile charity initiative, 'Deckchair Dreams' 2008, is being launced by the Royal Parks Foundation to help raise funds for London's eight Royal Parks.  EPA/ANDY RAIN

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