Daily Telegraph: Navy to 'lose two carriers' in cutbacks.
By Michael Smith, Defence Correspondent
The Royal Navy is to lose two aircraft carriers after Geoff Hoon, the Defence Secretary, lost his argument with the Treasury, defence sources said last night. The ships will be "withdrawn from operational service" amid attempts to cut the defence budget. They will be moored at Portsmouth before being sold, the sources said.........
The two vessels to be withdrawn are Illustrious and Invincible. Ark Royal, the newest of the carriers, is to undergo routine maintenance.
Mr Hoon told the Commons Defence Committee yesterday that "difficult choices have to be made between existing equipment and equipment we will need in the future."