UK aircraft carrier Ark Royal for sale on Internet

[March 29, 2011]  LONDON (AP) -- For sale: one aircraft carrier, slightly used.

Britain put the mothballed carrier Ark Royal up for sale Monday on a military auction website.

The former flagship of the Royal Navy was decommissioned this month, four years ahead of schedule, as part of defense spending cuts. Bidders have until June 13 to make an offer. No minimum price was set.

The government sold another carrier, HMS Invincible, which was bought for its metal and towed to a Turkish scrap yard.

The Ark Royal could be sold for scrap, but there has also been a proposal to park it on the Thames river as a heliport.

Britain is reducing the army by 7,000 soldiers and slashing billions from its defense budget as part of deficit-reducing cuts.

___

Online: http://www.edisposals.com/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.