Two of Britain’s biggest navy ships have officially set sail, embarking on a five-year journey from the west coast of Africa to the west coast of the United States

The vessels will act as “the eyes and ears” of England, as tensions continue to flare up between China and many other western nations.

In a statement, the British Defence Military says the ships will “work alongside Britain’s allies, carrying out security patrols to deal with drug-running, smuggling, terrorism and other illegal activities, flying the flag for Global Britain”.

The warships will also go north to the Bering Sea and then south to New Zealand and the Australian state of Tasmania

Global Britain has been launched as the nation’s post-Brexit strategy to increase British influence around the world.

It comes as the government announced a sweeping overhaul to its military and foreign policy, focussing in on the indo-pacific region and the increasing dominance of China.