Britain’s biggest warship HMS Prince of Wales returns to North Atlantic
HMS Prince of Wales is based in Portsmouth
Last updated 17th Oct 2026
Britain’s biggest warship HMS Prince of Wales is set to return to the North Atlantic, the Royal Navy has said.
Stealth fighter jets will return to the skies in the High North as the HMS Prince of Wales sets sail for the Arctic and North Atlantic.
The Royal Navy said: “The deployment of Britain’s flagship aircraft carrier alongside our Nato allies is a powerful shield for the nation, ensuring that the critical energy, trade, and communication links we all rely on every day in the region remain secure.”
Accompanied by Type-45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, Britain’s flagship aircraft carrier is embarked with an air group comprising of fifth-generation F-35 Jets, Merlin Mk4 Commando and Mk2 Anti-submarine helicopters, Wildcat helicopters and Malloy drones, the Royal Navy said.
More than 1,200 British personnel are deployed as part of the Carrier Strike Group, working closely with allies including Norway, Denmark and Germany on operations designed to test and strengthen Nato interoperability, the Royal Navy added.
It comes after a former chief of the Royal Navy said it is in the most “parlous state” it has been in for 60 years and does not “deliver what the nation needs”.
Earlier this year, Lord West of Spithead told the Press Association the Royal Navy is “too small” and has “not been looked after properly”.
He said: “The bottom line is the Navy’s in a more parlous state than at any stage in the 60 years I’ve been on the active list.
“It’s too small, it’s not been looked after properly, there’s been insufficient (funds) spent on it, and I’m afraid it doesn’t deliver what the nation needs.”
Armed forces minister Louise Sandher-Jones said: “The deployment of the HMS Prince of Wales and her air wing to the High North and the North Atlantic, operating under Nato leadership, is a clear demonstration of the UK’s commitment to the alliance and contribution to the enduring security and stability of the North Atlantic.”
As part of the deployment, HMS Prince of Wales will host gatherings of military and political leaders in Oslo focused on the collective security of Northern Europe.
The Atlantic Future Forum and the International Sea Power Conference will bring together defence leaders, industry and policymakers to discuss the future of Euro-Atlantic security.
HMS Prince of Wales will be joined by HMS Dauntless and the staff of UK Carrier Strike Group, commanded by Commodore Richard Hewitt.
He said: “I am delighted to return to the Arctic and North Atlantic as we build on the successes of the first phase of Operation Firecrest.
“Led by the UK Flagship HMS Prince of Wales, the strike group will bring together a range of assets and capabilities, while taking every opportunity to train, operate and integrate with our Nato allies and partners.”
The focus of phase 2 of Operation Firecrest is “maintaining operational readiness, strengthening interoperability and ensuring the Carrier Strike Group are prepared to respond to the challenges of an increasingly important region”, the Royal Navy said.