A $640 million Navy aircraft carrier that had just undergone a $216 million refitting job had to return to port just two days into its mission after its refrigerator broke down. Now it needs another $20,000 to have its fridge fixed.

According to reports, the HMS Illustrious, equipped with hi-tech weaponry, was headed for the Indian Ocean with its nearly 1,000 crew when staff discovered problems with its fridge forcing the ship to head back to Portsmouth dockyard.

Navy authorities said the repair would take about 24 hours to be fixed.

"On a ship that's just had a $216 million refit you'd think the fridge would work," said one crew member. "And that, if not, someone on board could fix it. But the captain decided we had to go back."

The Illustrious is set to join other vessels from America, Spain and France in a rare mission to promote peace.

"It made sense to go back rather than see if it breaks down east of the Suez Canal, when we'd have to fly people out," said a Navy spokesman.