UK aircraft carrier given five days to be ready to deploy
UK Aircraft Carrier Set for Five-Day Deployment Readiness
The Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales has been accelerated to a five-day readiness status, according to defence officials. This shift indicates the ship’s crew is now prepared to depart from Portsmouth within a shorter timeframe, compared to the prior 14-day notice. While the exact destination remains unspecified, the move has sparked discussions about potential involvement in the Middle East to safeguard British interests amid escalating tensions.
US Criticism of UK’s Delay
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to critique Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, claiming the UK had delayed sending its carriers to the region. “The United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East,” Trump wrote. He added, “That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer – But we will remember. We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!”
“We have been bolstering our UK military presence in the Middle East since January,” a Ministry of Defence spokesperson stated. “Our assets, including Typhoons, F-35 jets, and air defence systems, are already in place to protect British citizens and allies. Additional personnel have been stationed in Cyprus to strengthen regional defences.”
Deployment and Strategic Adjustments
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the carrier’s readiness upgrade, noting that HMS Prince of Wales has consistently maintained high operational status. The ship is expected to join a broader NATO operation in the North Atlantic and Arctic later this year. Meanwhile, a Type 45 destroyer, HMS Dragon, remains in Portsmouth for maintenance and will be deployed next week.
Recent weeks have seen the arrival of US B-1 Lancer bombers at RAF Fairford, with the first jet landing on Friday evening and three more following on Saturday. A C-5 airlifter also joined the operation. Demonstrators gathered outside the base, some supporting the military effort, while others raised anti-war banners demanding accountability.
Protest Developments
In London, thousands of activists marched toward the US Embassy, chanting “Hands off Iran” and “Stop Trump’s Wars.” A smaller group of supporters accompanied the procession, advocating for a free and democratic Iran. Protesters emphasized that the UK should not follow the US into conflict without clear justification, targeting both the president and the prime minister’s decisions.
Sir Keir Starmer has faced increasing scrutiny for his approach to the crisis. Despite defending his stance last week by citing the need for a “cool head” in military decisions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused him of being “too scared to make foreign” commitments. The UK has not yet joined offensive actions against Iran, though it has reinforced its presence in the region with air defence systems and personnel.
HMS Prince of Wales, a 900ft-long flagship, can carry up to 24 F-35B stealth jets, along with helicopters and drones, and accommodate 1,600 personnel. Its capability to travel 500 miles daily underscores its strategic value. The MoD also highlighted that US forces have begun using British bases for specific defensive operations in the Middle East.