County Durham's adopted Royal Navy warship HMS Bulwark is due to visit its North East home.
The 18,500 tonne amphibious assault ship is due to sail into Northumbria Quay, on the Tyne, on Thursday.
The ship is one of the largest and most technologically advanced in the Royal Navy's fleet and could be sent anywhere in the world with five days notice.
HMS Bulwark was built at BAE Systems, in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, and launched in 2001.
The warship has a new Commanding Officer, Captain Wayne Keble from Dorset, who assumed command on 1 December.
The ship will later sail on to Devonport, Plymouth, where it is due to arrive on 12 December.
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