The captain of one of the Royal Navy’s latest aircraft carriers came to Bristol to promote the region’s technology around the world and boost tech skills in the city.

The HMS Prince of Wales is officially affiliated with Bristol and Liverpool and its crew will visit Bristol schools to promote science, technology and engineering.

“It is a huge privilege to be the first Captain appointed to HMS Prince of Wales and we are delighted to be affiliated to the maritime city of Bristol and the shared opportunities it presents,” said Captain Ian Groom MBE, Captain of HMS Prince of Wales.

The 65,000-tonne ship measures 280m – longer than eight Cabot Towers laid down end to end – and has a range of 10,000 nautical miles, carrying 36 F-35B fighter jets and some Merlin helicopters.

The screens on the flight deck are supplied by Datronik, whose UK base is in Thornbury in South Gloucestershire and the carrier will promote Bristol’s technology around the world.

“Bristol’s affiliation to this new ship is a prestigious and very exciting opportunity and we are delighted to be able to play our part. Working closer with the Royal Navy and our armed forces is very important to the business community with benefits for all.  For our employers and their staff linking to this state of the art new ship will undoubtedly help them build new networks & contacts and showcase many trade promotion opportunities across the world,” said James Durie, Chief Executive of Bristol Chamber & West of England Initiative at Business West.

HMS Prince of Wales is set to be handed over to the Royal Navy for duty in 2019 and will be ready for deployment from 2023.

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