Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Defence Features

HMS Illustrious in the Philippines

Since arriving in the Philippines, HMS Illustrious and her 'floating warehouse' of emergency supplies have been a hub of activity.

The Royal Navy’s amphibious aircraft carrier arrived in the Philippines on 25 November after a short stop in Singapore to load up 500 tonnes of humanitarian aid under the direction of the UK Department for International Development (DFID).

Teams of personnel have been working 24-hours-a-day in her hangar to sort and pack the much needed supplies, ready for distribution ashore, and the flight deck has been operating constantly since the 23,000-tonne ship arrived.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Since the start of Operation Patwin, the UK’s contribution to the multinational humanitarian aid effort, 356 pallets of supplies have been distributed ashore. This equates to roughly 130 tonnes of stores, including 2,048 family food packs (each enough to feed a family of 5 for 1 week), 5,400 tarpaulins, 46 debris clearance packs (shovels, wheelbarrows, hammers, saws, tarpaulins, rice bags and assorted tools), and 1,500 litres of water to those islands which do not have a fresh water supply.

Above: A Merlin helicopter from 829 Naval Air Squadron delivers aid to communities on Sicogon Island in the Philippines.
Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Nicky Wilson, Crown copyright

Royal Navy Sea King and Merlin and British Army Lynx helicopters have been streaming to the islands around the coast of Panay every few minutes to deliver the supplies.

Together, they have completed 252 flying hours and 227 vertical replenishments (where the aircraft hovers over the flight deck to collect an underslung load without landing).

Speaking on 2 December, Commander Nick Walker said: "After five days of intensive air operations, yesterday was the most active so far. Five helicopters transported 40 tonnes of stores in 61 underslung loads, with 50 sorties taking internal freight and landing our teams and DFID officers ashore.

"I don’t think there has been a busier day on the flight deck since Illustrious converted to a helicopter carrier in 2010. Although the majority of the flying occurs in daylight hours, supporting the air effort with aircraft maintenance, deck and load preparations and planning and briefing is a 24-hour operation.

Advertisement
ODU RT

"I am immensely proud of all those involved and what they have enabled the Air Group to achieve for the people of the Philippines.

Alongside food aid and equipment distribution on numerous islands, there have been opportunities for soldiers, sailors and marines to get their hands dirty. Teams have been sent ashore on six islands to assist with such things as repairing generators, buildings and fishing boats and debris clearance.

Above & below right: Flight deck operations aboard HMS Illustrious in the Philippines.
Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Nicky Wilson, Crown copyright

Lieutenant Commander Andy Reeves led a team repairing a school roof in Bitoon on Calagnaan Island. He said: "It’s a huge honour to be involved in this kind of operation. My team and I have found it incredibly rewarding to be able to make a difference on the ground to the people of the Philippines, who have been through so much in the last few weeks."

HMS Illustrious will continue to visit further island clusters around the central Philippine island of Panay to assess the needs of the local communities and provide vital assistance.

 

Advertisement
Babcock LB
ADS calls on Holyrood to support aerospace, defence, security and space

Aerospace Defence Security Space

ADS calls on Holyrood to support aerospace, defence, security and space

13 October 2025

ADS - the UK trade association for aerospace, defence, security and space - has launched its Manifesto for next year’s Scottish Parliamentary elections, outlining a series of recommendations for the next five years.

DE&S awards Serco Typhoon engines overhaul contract

Defence

DE&S awards Serco Typhoon engines overhaul contract

13 October 2025

Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon aircraft will continue to receive mission-essential EJ200 engine support following a new five-year maintenance contract awarded to Serco by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S).

Rolls-Royce Submarines signs digital engineering MoU with Siemens

Defence Events

Rolls-Royce Submarines signs digital engineering MoU with Siemens

10 October 2025

Rolls-Royce Submarines and Siemens, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on digital optimisation and boost efficiency across engineering.

BAE Systems and PragoData to provide Czech defence sector IPS

Defence

BAE Systems and PragoData to provide Czech defence sector IPS

10 October 2025

BAE Systems and PragoData, a Czech systems integrator and consulting company, have announced they will work together with a view to providing Integrated Product Support (IPS) capabilities to the Czech defence sector.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Sea Venom anti-ship missile hits major milestone

Defence

Sea Venom anti-ship missile hits major milestone

10 October 2025

The Royal Navy’s maritime strike capabilities have been significantly enhanced with a 'lethal combination' of precision, reach and flexibility against a spectrum of threats after its Sea Venom missiles achieved an important milestone.

Serco appoints Michael LaRouche as CEO of North American division

Defence

Serco appoints Michael LaRouche as CEO of North American division

9 October 2025

Serco has appointed Michael LaRouche as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Serco’s North American division effective 1st October 2025.

Advertisement
Amentum permanent rectangle