The Royal Navy is preparing HMS Prince of Wales, the UK's flagship aircraft carrier, for a possible deployment to the Middle East, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. Workers in Portsmouth are readying the vessel to reduce its notice to move from ten days to five, allowing for a quicker response if a decision to mobilise is made.
No final decision has been taken to deploy the carrier, which could also be used for other planned missions. If deployed, it would join HMS Dragon, already being sent to the region. The warship would require escort vessels and a submarine.
The MoD stated that RAF Typhoon and F-35 jets continue air operations over Jordan, Qatar, and Cyprus to defend British interests. The US has begun using British bases for defensive operations, with B-1 Lancer bombers arriving at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
An MoD spokesperson said the UK has bolstered its military presence in the Middle East since January, deploying Typhoons, F-35 jets, air defence systems, and 400 additional personnel to Cyprus. British jets have shot down drones, and further assets, including Wildcat helicopters with drone-busting missiles, have been sent.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced criticism from the Conservatives for the pace of the UK's response. On Thursday, he announced additional fighter jets would be sent to the region. Two more Wildcat helicopters arrived in Cyprus on Friday, and a Merlin helicopter is being deployed for surveillance.
The airstrikes by the US and Israel, and subsequent Iranian retaliatory strikes, have led to the evacuation of British nationals. A second government-chartered flight landed at Gatwick on Saturday, bringing the total of Britons brought back from the UAE to over 6,500 since the conflict began.
