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HMS Ark Royal (R07) the fifth ship to bear the name, was built as an Invincible class carrier, by Swan Hunter on the Tyne launching on 2 June 1981, by HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother and commissioned into the Fleet on 1 November 1985. The ship has seen active service during the 1990's Bosnian War and 2003 Invasion of Iraq. Her length was 689 feet, a displacement of 22,00 tons and top speed of 30 knots. She could operate 18 Harrier GR.7/9, 4 Sea King and Merlin HM Mk1 helicopters. She was decommissioned at Portsmouth on 11 March 2011, five years ahead of schedule.
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