Revealed: Cost of the Carrier Strike Group 21 deployment

The "additional operating cost" of the UK-led Carrier Strike Group 21 mission to the Indo-Pacific has been revealed as an estimated £74m.

The deployment, which saw HMS Queen Elizabeth and other vessels sail 500,000 nautical miles, lasted seven months and involved engagements with more than 40 nations.

Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey asked the question about the mission's cost, answered by defence minister James Heappey.

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"The additional operating cost of deploying the Carrier Strike Group is currently estimated at £74m, this covers any costs incurred above what those personnel and capabilities deployed would usually cost to defence, for example, fuel costs, operational allowances, and other incidental costs," Mr Heappey said.

"Further work is ongoing to refine those cost estimates and provide a final figure."