HMS Prince of Wales docks in Norway after propeller fault during NATO exercise
The Royal Navy aircraft carrier experienced a technical issue while participating in a NATO drill off Norway. The vessel entered Stavanger for repairs and will miss planned events marking 250 years since the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
news.sky.comThe Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales entered the Norwegian port of Stavanger after a propeller-shaft fault was found during a NATO exercise in the High North. The ship had been heading toward U.S. independence anniversary events when the issue surfaced. Repairs are now under way and are expected to last longer than first estimated.
Background on carrier reliability The 65,000-tonne vessel has recorded repeated mechanical problems since entering service. Its sister ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, was withdrawn from a separate NATO exercise in 2024 for comparable propeller-shaft issues.
Earlier incidents include a 2022 breakdown near the Isle of Wight that required a tow to port and nine months in dry dock for a misaligned starboard propeller. HMS Queen Elizabeth also suffered shaft-seal leaks in 2019 that admitted 200 litres of water per hour.
Defence officials described the latest fault as a minor technical issue. Navy sources told the Daily Mail that the breakdown was "devastating for morale" amid existing concerns over defence spending. A naval source added that the Royal Navy assumed maintenance responsibility from the manufacturers without full confirmation of seaworthiness, leaving taxpayers to cover recurring propeller repairs.
A long-awaited review of military spending is scheduled for next week. Ministers have been warned of a £28 billion shortfall in defence plans, though Treasury officials are reported to view that figure as unaffordable.
