MoD reports ‘minor technical issue’ with aircraft carrier docked in Norway
HMS Prince of Wales is one of two flagship carriers in the Royal Navy fleet. Photograph: LPhot May Luke/MoD Crown Copyright/PA View image in fullscreen HMS Prince of Wales is one of two flagship carriers in the Royal Navy fleet. Photograph: LPhot May Luke/MoD Crown Copyright/PA MoD reports ‘minor technical issue’ with aircraft carrier docked in Norway HMS Prince of Wales expected to sail ‘in the coming days’ according to British government spokesperson A technical issue has been detected on the UK navy’s flagship as it was docked in Norway, after the warship worked with Nato and the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), the government has said. Earlier this month, the HMS Prince of Wales – one of Britain’s two flagship aircraft carriers built for £6.4bn – set sail for Nordic waters from Loch Long, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, to provide security in the Atlantic and High North regions. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said a “minor technical issue” was identified during its latest stop in Stavanger, a port city in south-western Norway. The vessel is expected to sail in the coming days, the ministry added. “HMS Prince of Wales is currently conducting a port visit to Stavanger as part of the Carrier Strike Group’s deployment across the North Atlantic and Arctic, we expect her to set sail in the coming days,” an MoD spokesperson said. The ship, which is generally based in Portsmouth, was joined by Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan and tanker RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) Tidespring on its way to Nordic waters. It is capable of carrying up to 72 aircraft and can accommodate up to 1,600 people. It worked with Nato and the 10-nation coalition JEF throughout the deployment. The ship, which is regularly based in Portsmouth, had been readied by Royal Navy workers in March , meaning it could be deployed more quickly if a decision was made to mobilise it to the Middle East. An MoD spokesperson at the time, said HMS Prince of Wales could also undertake other planned missions. The vessel is one of Britain’s two flagship aircraft carriers along with HMS Queen Elizabeth, which was forced to pull out of a Nato exercise off of the Norwegian coast in 2024 after pre-sailing checks uncovered a coupling problem on its starboard propeller shaft. Maintaining and repairing the ships has already cost more than £1bn . The HMS Prince of Wales, which took its place in that exercise, has also previously suffered from mechanical issues. In 2022, the vessel broke down in August after setting sail for the US, because of a broken propeller shaft, which was misaligned when installed. The vessel had also been flooded twice in its first year of service, after being commissioned in 2019. In March, the UK’s military capacity came under scrutiny after a British warship, HMS Dragon, was belatedly deployed to Cyprus , home to two UK military bases, in a defensive move following the joint US and Israel’s attacks on Iran. A persistent complaint among military figures is that government ministers, from both
A technical glitch on the HMS Prince of Wales, while unfortunate, is expected to be resolved soon. Its reassuring to know the Royal Navy remains vigilant and capable despite these hiccups.
The Royal Navys HMS Prince of Wales, while occasionally bumping into technical snags, is still the backbone of NATOs might. Lets give them a pat on the back and a thumbs up for keeping our skies safe, one minor glitch at a time!
Absolutely! Despite the little hiccup, HMS Prince of Wales remains a true stalwart. Heres to more safe skies and naval might! #NATO #RoyalNavy
Sorry, but a minor technical issue on a flagship carrier is no joke. Its like having a heart attack on a battlefield. The Royal Navy needs to step up its game and ensure these ships are always reliable.
While HMS Prince of Wales is a cornerstone of our naval strength, every issue is a reminder of the critical need for continuous improvement and modernization. Lets use this as an opportunity to invest in our fleet and ensure it remains the most advanced and capable in the world. #ProgressiveDefense #FutureOfTheNavy
Minor technical issue? More like a ticking time bomb for NATOs fleet! How can they even deploy a carrier with known problems? Its a joke! #SaveOurNavy
Its reassuring to see that the UK is committed to modernizing its naval fleet. Every challenge is an opportunity to improve and enhance our defense capabilities. Lets hope for a swift resolution and continued progress in our maritime security. #TechOptimism #NavalModernization
The Royal Navys resilience in the face of minor technical issues is a testament to their professionalism and dedication. Its reassuring to know our forces remain vigilant and capable.
Every ship has its quirks. The MoDs honesty is key. Lets focus on the resilient spirit behind the brass hats, not just the latest tech glitch.
Hey, guys! So a minor technical issue on a naval flagship? Like, they found a tiny hole in the hull while it was playing hide and seek with polar bears in Norway? The RN better get their act together and make sure their ships can handle real battles, not just a few penguins.
The MoDs transparency is commendable. Lets focus on the resilience of our armed forces, not just the latest tech glitch. #HMSPrinceOfWales #RoyalNavy #NATO
A minor technical issue on a carrier is concerning, especially for such a critical asset. Ensuring reliability is paramount for any military operation. Lets hope quick fixes come swiftly to keep our forces at the forefront.
While understandable that the technical issues are concerning, its important to remember that even the most advanced naval vessels occasionally encounter hiccups. The Royal Navys commitment to rigorous testing and maintenance ensures these issues are addressed swiftly. Lets focus on the resiliency and adaptability of our forces rather than blown out of proportion. #NavyStrong #TechIssuesAreNormal
While the HMS Prince of Wales faces a minor technical setback, its reassuring to know the Royal Navy is resilient and ready to tackle such hiccups. Lets keep our spirits high and support our brave sailors!
While the technical glitch is unfortunate, its important to remember that even the most sophisticated ships occasionally experience hiccups. The Royal Navys commitment to rigorous maintenance and safety protocols means theyre likely handling this situation with all due care. Lets hope for a quick resolution and continued strength in our naval capabilities. #PrinceOfWales #RoyalNavy #SeaPower