UK’s Biggest Aircraft Carrier Sails for North Atlantic with NATO Strike Group

Britain’s largest warship, HMS Prince of Wales, sailed from Portsmouth Naval Base in Hampshire on Sunday to lead the UK Carrier Strike Group on a deployment to the Arctic and North Atlantic, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) reported.

Britain's aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales departs Portsmouth for a NATO deployment to the Arctic and North Atlantic. [Photo: Dane Wiedmann, U.S. Navy]

Crowds gathered to watch the aircraft carrier leave the harbor, waving and taking photographs as the vessel began the second phase of Operation Firecrest.

The mission will focus on operational readiness, military training and strengthening interoperability among NATO allies, the Royal Navy said. The Royal Navy said stealth fighter jets would return to the skies over the High North as the carrier and its accompanying forces operate alongside allied navies.

The service described the deployment as a “powerful shield for the nation,” saying it would help safeguard critical energy, trade and communications links in the region.

HMS Prince of Wales is accompanied by Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless.

Its air group includes fifth-generation F-35B fighter jets, Merlin Mk4 Commando helicopters, Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine helicopters, Wildcat helicopters and Malloy uncrewed aerial vehicles, according to the Royal Navy.

More than 1,200 British personnel are participating in the deployment.

The strike group will work closely with NATO allies, including Norway, Denmark and Germany, in operations designed to test and strengthen the alliance’s ability to operate together.

The deployment underscores NATO’s focus on security in the High North and North Atlantic, including the protection of maritime routes and critical infrastructure. The Royal Navy said the mission would help maintain readiness and strengthen cooperation with allied forces.