UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales heads back to Arctic and North Atlantic

The Royal Navy announced that HMS Prince of Wales, Britain’s largest warship, is set to return to the Arctic and North Atlantic as part of a NATO-led carrier strike group. The carrier will be escorted by the Type-45 destroyer HMS Dauntless and will carry a diverse air complement that includes fifth-generation F-35 jets, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, as well as Malloy drones. Over 1,200 British service members will join forces with allies from Norway, Denmark and Germany to enhance operational readiness and joint capabilities.

Armed forces minister Louise Sandher-Jones highlighted the deployment as a clear signal of the UK’s dedication to the alliance and regional stability. While in Oslo, the ship will host the Atlantic Future Forum and the International Sea Power Conference, bringing together defence officials, industry leaders and policymakers. Commodore Richard Hewitt, commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group, said the mission builds on the successes of the first phase of Operation Firecrest and aims to maintain readiness in a strategically vital area.