The Ministry of Defence has returned the results of an investigation into the HMS Prince of Wales, which was left briefly out of action while carrying out a critical defence brief
A Navy probe into the UK’s largest warship has discovered the reason behind the £3.5 billion vessel’s latest breakdown, as it encountered another setback while serving a vital defence brief.
The HMS Prince of Wales, which was first launched in 2017, is the most prestigious of all the UK’s warships, and has played an important tactical role this month in bolstering NATO’s defences against Russia. The vessel led Dynamic Mongoose, a two-week anti-submarine exercise in the Norwegian Sea, where Russian activity has recently been on the rise.
It was meant to provide security in the Atlantic and High North regions after departing from Loch Long, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, but encountered an issue an insider said proved “devastating for morale”.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the ship experienced a “minor technical issue” during its latest stop in Stavanger, a port city in south-western Norway. The aircraft carrier is expected to sail in the coming days, the ministry added. An MoD spokesperson said: “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. We continue to work closely with our allies and partners to improve global security and strengthen defence cooperation as recently demonstrated on exercise Dynamic Mongoose.”
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 has worked with Nato and the Joint Expeditionary Force throughout the deployment. HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth are the largest and most powerful vessels ever constructed for the Royal Navy, with the former weighing 65,000 tonnes, and boasting a top speed in excess of 25 knots per hour and a range of 10,000 nautical miles.
It can carry up to 72 aircraft, including a maximum of 36 F-35B fighter jets, and has an expected service life of up to 50 years, according to the Royal Navy. The ship can operate on a crew of 678, but can accommodate up to 1,600 people.
When it set sail, the Royal Navy commanders were eager to prove its worth, with Captain Ben Power saying the vessel stood “ready as the nation’s flagship to demonstrate the United Kingdom ’s commitment to Nato and the Joint Expeditionary Force”.
He added: “My thanks go to our families who continue to show unwavering support as we deploy for a period away from home waters.” Commander James Mitchell, commanding officer of the HMS Duncan, added: “As a Type 45 destroyer, HMS Duncan brings world-class air defence capability to the Carrier Strike Group, providing essential protection to HMS Prince of Wales and other high-value units.
“Training alongside our allies in the North Atlantic and High North strengthens our ability to operate as an integrated and resilient force.”
The latest deployment followed a major breakdown in August 2022 off the Isle of Wight, when an issue was discovered aboard the starboard shaft coupling. Divers inspecting the ship at the time found its 33-tonne propeller malfunctioned, and it was towed back to port and forced to remain out of action for nine months until repairs were completed.
The latest issue, while less of a technical setback in comparison, has hit crews, with the Daily Mail citing a senior naval source, reporting it was “devastating for morale”.
