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LONDON (BNS): British Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal will join French submarine FS Perle and US destroyer USS Barry to lead a series of international naval exercises in the North and West Atlantic between May and August.

The ship set sail from Portsmouth on Tuesday and will head the international task group – 'Auriga 2010' – to carry out the exercises, the UK Ministry of Defence said.

Portsmouth-based Type 42 destroyer HMS Liverpool will leave on May 10 to join the task group, it said.

Other ships taking part in the drill include Royal Navy's Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Fort George.

They will be supported by an amphibious force comprising Devonport-based HMS Ocean and Royal Fleet Auxiliary Largs Bay, together with Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade and RN helicopters, the MoD said.

The exercise is aimed at demonstrating UK's ability “to deploy, operate and sustain a task group out of area for a prolonged period,” the Ministry said.

The ships will also undertake a series of goodwill port visits in the region to support International Security Cooperation initiatives, it said.