HMS Ark Royal (R07), the Invincible-class carrier this coin commemorates, was at the time of issue still in active service — she wouldn't be decommissioned until 2011, two years ahead of schedule, as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review cuts that also axed her entire fixed-wing air complement before she ever sailed with the F-35 she was designed to operate alongside.
HMS Ark Royal (R07), the Invincible-class carrier this coin commemorates, was at the time of issue still in active service — she wouldn't be decommissioned until 2011, two years ahead of schedule, as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review cuts that also axed her entire fixed-wing air complement before she ever sailed with the F-35 she was designed to operate alongside.