Britain's largest warship, HMS Prince of Wales, sets sail to lead NATO's biggest exercises since the Cold War, as fears of World War II loom
Britain's largest warship has left Portsmouth for Exercise Steadfast Defender, NATO's most ambitious exercise since the Cold War.
HMS Prince by WalesThe long-awaited departure was originally scheduled for yesterday, but was postponed at the last minute.
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NATOThe upcoming Steadfast Defender exercise is the largest in decades and is intended to test allied countries' new defense plans and ability to rapidly deploy troops.
It takes place from late February to March off the Norwegian Arctic coast.
Supreme Allied Commander of Europe Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli said Steadfast Defender will be “a clear demonstration of our unity, strength and determination to protect each other, our values and the rules-based international order.”
The news of the warship's departure comes in the middle warnings from NATO that the allied countries must be prepared for an all-out war with Russia.
And after the British Minister of Defence Grant Shapps claimed that the world had entered a 'pre-war' phase in anticipation of a possible Third World War.
The Department of Defense yesterday saw the delay in the departure of HMS Prince of Wales for NATO's multi-domain exercise – which would include land, air, sea, cyber and space operations – as families stood together at the Round Tower at the entrance to the harbour.
Yesterday it was said in a statement that the Royal Navy aircraft carrier would sail soon, 'subject to suitable tides and weather conditions”.
The aircraft carrier indeed sailed to Norway today and is expected to lead a strike group of eight ships – four of them British – supported by American, Spanish and Danish ships.
Britain's largest warship returned Portsmouth in December last year, after a months-long deployment in the United States that included sea and air trials and training with American F-35 jets.
HMS Queen Elizabeth was originally scheduled to take part in NATO's Steadfast Defender exercise, but suffered a problem with the propeller shaft.
It was revealed that HMS Prince of Wales would take his place.
A Royal Navy spokesman explained what was happening next one for the lead ship of the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.
He said: “After completion of initial surveys, HMS Queen Elizabeth will sail to Rosyth Scotland so that any necessary repairs can be carried out in due course.
“The cause of the problem with HMS Queen Elizabeth is wear and tear of her starboard propeller shaft coupling.”
In 2022, HMS Prince of Wales also suffered a propeller shaft problem and broke down off the Isle of Wight.
HMS Queen Elizabeth was forced to sail to the US instead as HMS Prince of Wales underwent nine months of repairs at Rosyth shipyard in Scotland.
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