Tensions between the United States and North Korea have been escalating over the past few months. And the possibility of war on the Korean peninsula has not been lost on Britain with Armed Forces officials apparently making plans for the worst-case scenario.

According to sources, one of the plans involves deploying the UK’s new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth to the region, which will be handed over to the Navy later this year before it undergoes flight trials. A source told the Mail Online: ‘We have plenty of ships to send… the Type-45 destroyers, the Type-23 frigates. Britain’s new aircraft carrier could be pressed into service early if things turn south.’ The plans have been made as neither Donald Trump or Kim Jong-un show any desire to calm their war of words.

The US President recently warned that ‘only one thing will work’ when it comes to dealing with Pyongyang as it continues to carry out nuclear tests despite UN sanctions and international condemnation.

Apparently, the tactics being considered include those similar to ones used to defend the Falklands from Argentina when HMS Illustrious was rushed into service early.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is not due to enter service until 2020 but will be commissioned later this year meaning it could technically be sent to war. It is currently taking part in sea trials in Portsmouth and tests to its mission systems before it is handed over to the Navy. A Navy source told the Mail: ‘In the Falklands we had to react to an event and HMS Illustrious was accelerated to respond.

‘This was a reaction to protect British territory, however. In this case [North Korea], the UK would be part of a united global coalition. We would see what support we could give.’ As well as missiles, North Korea has also tested a hydrogen bomb – a far more devastating weapon than conventional atomic bombs. We would see what support we could give.’

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