UK flagship aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales suffers technical fault in Norway

The United Kingdom's flagship aircraft carrier, the HMS Prince of Wales, has been temporarily sidelined due to a minor technical problem. The vessel was docked in Stavanger, Norway, after participating in exercises with NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in the North Atlantic and Arctic.

According to the British Ministry of Defence (MoD), the issue was identified during the ship's port visit. A spokesperson stated, "The HMS Prince of Wales is currently undertaking a routine port visit in Stavanger, Norway as part of the Carrier Strike Group's deployment to the North Atlantic and Arctic. We expect her to depart in the coming days." The carrier, based in Portsmouth, was accompanied by the Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan and the RFA Tidespring during its deployment.

This incident echoes a previous problem encountered by the Royal Navy's other carrier, the HMS Queen Elizabeth. In March 2024, the HMS Queen Elizabeth had to withdraw from a NATO exercise off the coast of Norway due to a coupling issue with its propeller shaft. The maintenance and repair costs for both carriers have already exceeded £1 billion.

The HMS Prince of Wales, one of two Queen Elizabeth-class carriers, has a significant capacity, capable of carrying up to 72 aircraft and accommodating around 1,600 personnel. Its deployment aims to strengthen security in strategically important northern waters. The ship had also been on standby for potential operations in the Middle East earlier in the year.

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The HMS Prince of Wales is currently undertaking a routine port visit in Stavanger, Norway as part of the Carrier Strike Group's deployment to the North Atlantic and Arctic. We expect her to depart in the coming days.