Technical issue detected on one of UK's biggest warships

Saturday, 6 June 2026 11:39

A technical issue has been detected on one of the UK's largest warships as it was docked in Norway, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

The "minor" issue was identified on HMS Prince of Wales during its latest stop in the southwestern port city of Stavanger, according to the MoD.

The £3bn Royal Navy warship set sail from Loch Long, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, earlier this month for Nordic waters to provide security in the Atlantic and High North regions.

An MoD spokesperson said: "HMS Prince of Wales is currently conducting a port visit to Stavanger as part of the Carrier Strike Group's deployment across the North Atlantic and Arctic, we expect her to set sail in the coming days."

The ship, which is usually based in Portsmouth, was joined by Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan and tanker RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) Tidespring as it travelled towards Nordic waters.

The mission was to work with NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force during the deployment.

HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth are the most powerful vessels ever built for the Royal Navy.

HMS Prince of Wales weighs 65,000 tonnes and has a top speed higher than 25 knots per hour, as well as a range of 10,000 nautical miles.

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The Royal Navy said the warship can carry up to 72 aircraft, including a maximum of 36 F-35B fighter jets, and has an expected service life of up to 50 years.

The ship can operate on a crew of 678 and can accommodate up to 1,600 people.

HMS Prince of Wales broke down in August 2022 while on a landmark trip to the US, after it experienced an "emerging mechanical issue" when its starboard propeller shaft was damaged.

Sky News