Britain's new aircraft carrier needs protection from the 'frightening Russian threat' as it crosses the Atlantic for sea trials, the captain has said.

Speaking ahead of the deployment to New York and the east coast of America, Commodore Andrew Betton, commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group, said that the carrier would have protection from other Royal Navy warships in the task group.

And he said that the beleaguered Type 45 air defence destroyers, beset with propulsion issues which require an engine refit, will be repaired and ready to support the Queen Elizabeth by the time it embarks on its first operational deployment in 2021.

Cdre Betton said: "We need to protect the ship from any threats that may be out there, it is the Atlantic, it is broadly home waters, but we do need to maintain our readiness clearly."

When asked if there was any concern about a Russian submarine tailing the Queen Elizabeth and what protection was to be provided, Cdre Betton said: "Russian submarines are more active in the North Atlantic than they have been since the Cold War and we take that very seriously, the ship will be well protected as she makes the transit across the Atlantic”.