Petition · past parliament
Keep Illustrious(Formerly HMS Illustrious) In the UK - open her up to the Public
Closed
1,663 signatures
What the petition asks
HMS Illustrious (R06) - Served as a Carrier for the united Kingdom and is now the last in her class - Launched on the 14th December 1978 and Laid up In reserve as of 2015. Lusty as she is known to plenty of ex serving Naval Personnel wish to save her and allow her to stay within the United Kingdom
Launched on the 14th December 1978.
By 2014 she was the oldest ship in the Royal Navy's active fleet.
In May 2011 Illustrious was made operational after a £40 million refit.
The Ministry of Defence also announced that Illustrious, as the last of the Invincible-class aircraft carriers, will be preserved as a memorial "in recognition of the service given by these ships in protecting the UK over the last 30 years"
Laid up In reserve as of 2015
By 2014 she was the oldest ship in the Royal Navy's active fleet.
In May 2011 Illustrious was made operational after a £40 million refit.
The Ministry of Defence also announced that Illustrious, as the last of the Invincible-class aircraft carriers, will be preserved as a memorial "in recognition of the service given by these ships in protecting the UK over the last 30 years"
Laid up In reserve as of 2015
Timeline
| 18 Feb 2016 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 18 Aug 2016 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
1,663
Status
Closed
Opened
18 Feb 2016
Closed
18 Aug 2016
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.