HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy’s colossal £3.5billion aircraft carrier and Britain’s largest warship, has reportedly suffered another breakdown.
The HMS Prince of Wales departed from the Glen Mallan jetty in Loch Long, Argyll and Bute, bound for Nordic waters to provide security across the Atlantic and High North regions last month.
However, according to reports, the vessel has been compelled to dock in Norway for repairs, postponing her departure for commemorations marking the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence.
A senior naval source reportedly told the Daily Mail the carrier’s latest difficulties were ‘devastating for morale’.
The vessel is typically based in Portsmouth. She weighs an enormous 65,000 tonnes and costs £3billion. The ship encountered difficulties back in 2022, when she experienced an “emerging mechanical issue” off the south coast, merely one day into her voyage to the US.
The most recent setback is described as a ‘minor technical issue’ which necessitated the 65,000-tonne carrier docking in Stavanger, Norway.
The latest problem emerges as Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton emphasised the escalating threat from Russia and the necessity to prepare the nation’s armed forces for evolving warfare.
He said: “In my 35-year career, this is the most dangerous period that I have known. And, as a consequence, it is important that we enhance the capability and the readiness of our Armed Forces alongside our allies.
“To deter our adversaries from doing something daft.” His caution comes amidst growing concerns about whether Britain’s ‘hollowed out’ Armed Forces are equipped for contemporary threats.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told the Daily Mail: “HMS Prince of Wales is currently conducting a port visit to Stavanger.
“We expect her to set sail in the coming days.”
According to the carrier’s X account, engineers and logisticians have been working ‘tirelessly’ to ‘deliver effective maritime support’ – though no official information regarding the technical issue has been made public.