Britain’s biggest warship HMS Prince of Wales returns to North Atlantic, bolstering security of NATO’s Northern Flank

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 everyday in the region remain secure.

Accompanied by Type-45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, the Carrier is embarked with a state-of-the-art air group comprising of fifth-generation F-35 Jets, Merlin Mk4 Commando and Mk2 Anti-submarine helicopters, Wildcat helicopters and Malloy drones.

Over 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, ensuring we remain ready to respond to global events.  

Minister for the Armed Forces, Louise Sandher-Jones MP 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 in an increasingly dangerous world.

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 Op 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 UK Carrier Strike Group will once again operate under NATO command and contribute to enhanced vigilant activity including the latest of the alliance’s Neptune Strike series of exercises which is played out on a vast scale across swathes of Europe and the North Atlantic, in a major test of Allied land, sea and air forces.

Wider UK forces also remain on the frontline of defending NATO – from the 800-strong UK battlegroup in Estonia, to the Typhoon jets defending the skies over Romania, and the RAF P-8 Poseidon and Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft patrolling the Baltic Sea.