Britain is preparing HMS Prince of Wales (R09) to potentially deploy to the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran, according to defence sources.
The Royal Navy has reportedly increased the vessel’s readiness level, reducing the notice period for sailing from two weeks to five days. The carrier is nearing the completion of scheduled maintenance after returning in December from Operation Highmast, an eight-month deployment.
Raising the ship’s readiness involves finishing remaining maintenance work ahead of schedule, recalling the crew from leave, and realigning various training assignments across the service. All major systems on board are being verified to ensure the carrier can operate at full combat readiness if ordered to deploy. Notably, the ship already has aircraft ordnance and munitions stored in its magazines from last year’s deployment.
The HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), the Prince of Wales’s sister ship, is currently unavailable due to docking and certification work at Rosyth Dockyard falling several months behind schedule.
The 65,000-ton HMS Prince of Wales is one of the most advanced warships in the British fleet and a centrepiece of the UK’s carrier strike capability. At 284 meters long, it has a core crew of around 700 personnel, which can increase to roughly 1,600 when its full air wing is embarked. The carrier can travel at approximately 25 knots and is designed to project British power globally.
Its air group primarily consists of F-35B Lightning II jets, capable of carrying up to 36. Additionally, it includes helicopters such as the AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin and AW159 Wildcat for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and strike missions. The ski-jump flight deck also supports larger helicopters, including the Boeing CH-47 Chinook and AH-64 Apache.
With advanced radar systems, close-in weapons, and command facilities, the carrier is capable of leading multinational naval task groups and sustaining air operations far from British shores. However, assembling a full escort group for the carrier may pose challenges.
The destroyer HMS Duncan (D37) requires maintenance before any extended deployment, despite having recently returned from operations. Defence planners are expected to expedite her refit once HMS Dragon (D36) sets sail next week.
Last week, Keir Starmer confirmed that HMS Dragon would deploy from Portsmouth to help protect British personnel stationed in Cyprus. Helicopters equipped with counter-drone systems will also be part of this deployment.
“The UK is fully committed to the security of Cyprus and British military personnel based there,” the Prime Minister said on X.
“We’re continuing our defensive operations, and I’ve just spoken with the President of Cyprus to let him know that we are sending helicopters with counter-drone capabilities and HMS Dragon is to be deployed to the region.”
“We will always act in the interest of the UK and our allies.”
Defence sources have dismissed claims that delays in preparations were due to limited working hours during maintenance, emphasising that work on the vessel has continued at a steady pace as readiness levels are raised.
