After four years of waiting, the Royal Navy has finally heard the news that it's been desperate to hear - approval to build two new aircraft carriers.

On 25 July 2007, Defence Secretary Des Browne told the House of Commons:

"We can confirm that we will now place orders for two 65,000 tonne aircraft carriers – the largest ships ever sailed by the Royal Navy. The carriers represent a step change in our capability, enabling us to deliver increased strategic effect and influence around the world at a time and place of our choosing."

He said that the order was worth £3.8 billion, and that the first carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth was expected to enter service in 2014 and the second, HMS Prince of Wales in 2016.  The UK would continue to co-operate with France on the project, and further announcements about this would be made in next few months.

In reaction to the announcement the head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Sir Jonathan Band, said that Nelson would be happy.

The irony of a Labour Government initiating and eventually approving the ordering of two 65,000 tonnes aircraft carriers for "expeditionary warfare", forty one years after it cancelling a similar aircraft carrier project - CVA-01 - will be lost on many.

With the Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) finally achieving Main Gate approval, the focus of senior  Royal Navy officers can at last turn to the services many other urgent priorities, such as: