HMS Prince of Wales is once again back at sea having departed Portsmouth, joining sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth in waters around the UK.

HMS Queen Elizabeth returned to Portsmouth on Friday, 1st November 2024, after completing a 10-day period of training. Following a quick turnaround, the carrier set sail again on 4th November for further operational training and defence engagement.

This marks a big focus on readiness after the ship underwent critical repairs earlier this year at Rosyth, which included work on the starboard propeller shaft coupling following a technical issue that had previously caused the vessel to withdraw from the NATO exercise Steadfast Defender. During that time, HMS Prince of Wales took on operational responsibilities.

Powerful British Carrier Strike Group assembles off Scotland

HMS Prince of Wales, which also recently set sail for training and operational exercises after having returned briefly after exercise Strike Warrior, joins HMS Queen Elizabeth in a busy period of activity with both carriers at sea.

Currently, HMS Queen Elizabeth is focused on routine operational training and defence engagement, with a planned visit to a European city. Her expected return is slated for before Christmas.

The carriers

The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers are the largest and most advanced warships in the Royal Navy, designed to serve as the primary components of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group. This class includes two vessels: HMS Queen Elizabeth, commissioned in December 2017, and HMS Prince of Wales, commissioned in December 2019. Built by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, these carriers were developed at a total cost of approximately £7.6 billion. They replace the earlier Invincible-class carriers and are built to support a variety of maritime operations.

Each Queen Elizabeth-class carrier has a displacement of 65,000 tonnes and a length of 284 metres. Their propulsion is provided by integrated electric systems combining Rolls-Royce Marine Trent MT30 gas turbines with Wärtsilä diesel engines, producing a total power of 158,800 horsepower. These vessels are capable of speeds over 25 knots and can travel up to 10,000 nautical miles on a single mission. They have berths to accommodate up to 1,600 personnel, including crew and air support units.

The carriers can house an air wing of up to 40 aircraft, including F-35B Lightning II jets and Merlin helicopters for roles such as anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning. The flight deck, equipped with a 12º ski jump, is optimised for short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) operations, enabling the launch and recovery of F-35B aircraft. The hangar deck provides additional space for the maintenance and storage of these aircraft, with dimensions of 155 m x 34 m x 7 m.

For defence and situational awareness, each carrier is outfitted with a Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS), 30 mm DS30M Mk2 guns, and heavy machine guns. The radar and sensor systems include the S1850M long-range radar and Type 997 Artisan 3D radar, providing extensive tracking and detection capabilities to support the carrier’s operations.


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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Geoffi
Geoffi
1 day ago

But PoW is apparently knackered again, according to the tabloids.

Mark P
Mark P
1 day ago
Reply to  Geoffi

That sort of potentially bad news will get the vultures circling

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
1 day ago
Reply to  Geoffi

Things break all the time on big complex machines.

That is why you stress test them in exercises – frequently.

Ron
Ron
19 hours ago
Reply to  Geoffi

What is meant to be the issue with PoW? I have seen nothing about her.

Geoffi
Geoffi
12 hours ago
Reply to  Ron

She left Pompey late on her latest deployment with an “unspecified engineering issue”.
Latest scuttlebut story is the Government is also looking for a buyer for 2028.

Ron
Ron
11 hours ago
Reply to  Geoffi

Hell no. We need her.

PeterS
PeterS
1 day ago

If we needed to deploy both of them, they would get one T45 escort each. Like France, we can only afford to equip, resupply and escort one carrier.
The RN is a shambles.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
1 day ago
Reply to  PeterS

For what to do what?

If it is a part of a NATO deployment then there would be a multinational force involved anyway.

There was never a plan to be able to put a full complement of F35B on two carriers at the same time.

Angus
Angus
1 day ago

100% agree and QE will soon be going into refit/reserve as POW has the modern fit so only one available as was always the plans. Simply we don’t have or likely to have the aircraft to even fit out one CAG for years to come. Should have 4 x frontline F35B Squadrons of 10/12 airframes with at least 2 ready for sea at any time with the others as back up to fill her out and of course the Helo’s too which are also in short supply. Thank the Gov not the service for shortfall. Those sailors need drafting to… Read more »

PeterS
PeterS
18 hours ago

Yes there was. Most of the argument around the carrier decision was concern that we were replacing 3 Invincibles with 2 QEs. The vast increase in size was to be able to generate sortie levels similar to a USN super carrier. Evidence given by Adm West to the defence select committee in 2004. We didn’t order 2 carriers to have one sit on a the subs bench. My point was rather that given the state of the surface fleet , even if both carriers had a full aircraft load, we couldn’t provide an effective escort for both. On current plans,… Read more »

Something Different
Something Different
1 day ago
Reply to  PeterS

One of the carriers of the picture has 17 fixed wing supersonic jets on its deck (by my count). We haven’t had that capability since Ark Royal in the 1970s. Our NATO and European allies have plenty of escorts to make up the numbers required for a major all out war. However, we still have enough frigates and destroyers (albeit the readiness levels should be higher) for medium scale confrontations (e.g. something like the Falklands). France is the only European nation with anything close to this blue water capability.

Suffolk Flyer
Suffolk Flyer
1 day ago

Still fighting the last war then. They’re useless in a NATO context. We will never have sufficient F-35s to support two aircraft carriers that are also highly vulnerable to hypersonic missiles.

Angus
Angus
9 hours ago
Reply to  Suffolk Flyer

They move and have assets to defend them whilst your land bases are well and truly fixed with nothing to defend them, so which is the more vulnerable?

Paul42
Paul42
1 day ago

I think the pic was taken back in 2021 as QE was departing for CSG21 with 8 x UK & 10 x US F35B aboard?

ABCRodney
ABCRodney
1 day ago

Oh be serious, read the date May 2021 ! QE had a photo op with POW whilst working up for CSG21. There were 18 F35B on board but 10 were USMC, so no we don’t have a full CAG and probably will not have until tier 2 buy starts to arrive (if ever).

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
1 day ago
Reply to  ABCRodney

Ahh, I missed that myself….

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
1 day ago

I was going to point this out, I too counted 17.
When was this photo taken? The reports the other week spoke of 4.
17 is a good number.

Paul T
Paul T
1 day ago

Don’t discount the Marina Militare,they currently have a good Blue Water Capability and it will get significantly better in the next 10 years.

Basile Berthon
Basile Berthon
22 hours ago
Reply to  PeterS

France could but it doesn’t want to and doesn’t want to spend its money!

john
john
1 day ago

Renaming one soon to HMS Mothball.

Micki
Micki
1 day ago
Reply to  john

It,s nearly sure. SDR always means cuts.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
1 day ago
Reply to  Micki

Always the negatives. Always the worst case scenario.

ABCRodney
ABCRodney
1 day ago

I was recently in Portsmouth when both were in harbour and unless someone had had a Eureka moment neither has DS30 30mm guns fitted. And as far as I am aware they never have had.

SailorBoy
SailorBoy
1 day ago
Reply to  ABCRodney

I was recently (end of September) on the deck of QE in Portsmouth and neither she nor PoW had DS30s then, either.
Got a nice close-up photo of a Phalanx, though, and several of a Wildcat complete with Martlet.

Quentin D63
Quentin D63
16 hours ago
Reply to  SailorBoy

Afternoon SB, that sounds like a nice visit. It must have felt pretty grand? I know a lot of us want those 4x30mm installed but I was wondering now if that’ll be too much with the 3xPhalanx’s. An extra Phalanx for overlap and backup or couple of 40mm plus a RAM style launcher – Thales have just built (see in Janes) a multi-purpose launcher that could take Martlet, maybe Starstreak as well as rockets. I find it odd that there doesn’t appear to be any mention of Ancilia decoy mounts for the carriers or any anti-torpedo decoys? Sure hope they… Read more »

Sailorboy
Sailorboy
11 hours ago
Reply to  Quentin D63

Morning Quentin Yes, it did feel grand. Best bit was walking across the aircraft lift into the hangar, looking left and right, and realising quite how big the insides of the ship are. My personal favourite for the carrier is taking everything else out and installing 4x Bofors guns, whichever calibre we can afford. It’s unlikely that the carrier could take out missiles in quantity anyway without CAMM so you might as well go all in on drones and small boats (albeit still with arguably more CIWS capability than Phalanx). How do you access Jane’s? Do you have a login… Read more »

Quentin D63
Quentin D63
11 hours ago
Reply to  Sailorboy

Yes 4x40mm would be nice and neat, even economical, similar to the French PA-NG carrier. And a bit of CAMM- MR forward starboard. Good on you, I’m enjoying your posts.

RB
RB
23 hours ago

Anyone else noticed that the MODs PR machine has recently dropped using the prefix “new” whenever referring to the carriers? Someone finally decided that it was inappropriate 5 and 7 years after commissioning! Clearly the RN is trying hard to prove that the QEC are no longer problem plagued, giant white elephants with no aircraft, and a total waste of £billions of taxpayers money that would have been better spent on XYZ. Hardly a surprise in the midst of a strategic defence review where it has been leaked that the sale of POW is one of the “nothing is safe”… Read more »

Meirion X
Meirion X
21 hours ago
Reply to  RB

With highten geopolitical tensions, it’s going to be necessary for the next year at least, for two active carriers, because of PoW is assigned to CSG25, QE will need to be in a higher state of readiness, available for home water/North Atlantic deployment, and should utilise 207Squ, with more F-35B’s arriving in the next yea for deployment. If necessary in an emergency, French or German Navy ASW or SAR helos could embark?

Last edited 20 hours ago by Meirion X
Mark P
Mark P
20 hours ago
Reply to  Meirion X

Someone will probably correct me but I’m fairly sure that some of the F35’s are only trainer capable and not operationally capable, I think this refers to the new TR-3 models that have got software patches until they sort out the on going issues and the very early models based in the US? But yes in war time and as a last result may be 207Squ could help out?

RB
RB
18 hours ago
Reply to  Mark P

If POW actually deploys on CSG25 in March 2025 with 24 F-35B’s, that will probably include every operational aircraft in the UKs inventory. The remaining 13 or so will be trials aircraft with 17(R) sqd in the USA (all but 1 of its 4 aircraft nearing obsolescence), about 7 early tranche aircraft assigned to training and OCU duties with 207 sqd; plus a final few aircraft under repair, deep maintenance or being upgraded.

Mark P
Mark P
9 hours ago
Reply to  RB

Yeah exactly the cupboard will be bear. Time will tell but personally I doubt there will be any more than 18 British F35’s on CSG25? Hopefully I’m proven wrong

James
James
21 hours ago
Reply to  RB

Don’t forget that these two ships were a Blair vanity project. He’s now very much in vogue with our new government, and sources say F35 will be prioritised over Typhoon replacements

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
21 hours ago

QNLZ and PWLS have sailed in formation before for a photo op. Have they ever conducted joint trials or exercises? When encountering aerial bandits, it is always preferable to have a wingman. Presume the concept transfers to the ocean surface? Practice how one intends to fight. 🤔😳

SailorBoy
SailorBoy
21 hours ago
Reply to  FormerUSAF

Surely the best strategy for having two carriers is two carrier groups, unless cursed with a serious shortage of escorts?
By all accounts the hardest bit of fighting a carrier is actually locating the thing in the wide ol’ ocean and the ability to strike from unexpected directions.
Multiply that effect by two (split the carriers up but have them operate to a joint plan) and you create a nasty pickle for your opponents.

Ron
Ron
19 hours ago

An off topic question but about the RN. Does anyone know if the Aster missile can be used with the Artisan radar system?

Rd
Rd
18 hours ago

Oh look we are billy big balls, 2 redundant ships that crippled the country financially to build and are too vulnerable to actually use.

Andrew
Andrew
17 hours ago
Reply to  Rd

Yes, they are that vulnerable to use, that’s why we sail them half way round the world to the most likely flashpoint in the South China Sea….

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
10 hours ago
Reply to  Rd

Drive by shooting.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
7 hours ago
Reply to  Rd

I expect you’ll want to get rid of all RAF Airfields too?
They’re undefended, and fixed so easy to find.
The QEC are neither.
By extension also, you’re in effect saying Air Power itself is redundant? As these assets enable air Power projection.

Ron
Ron
16 hours ago

We need the two carriers, in many ways they are good value for the money spent in building them. Think about it, a US carrier cost to build about 15 billion if not more with cost overruns etc. Many also forget that the two carriers are designed to take up to 72 aircraft at surge. Yes we have an issue at the moment with aircrat numbers, but in a NATO shooting war I bet the USMC would love the extra flight decks. Maybe its for many a stupid question, but what other aircraft can take of from our carriers on… Read more »

Jon
Jon
9 hours ago
Reply to  Ron

I can’t see any point in ferrying a jet to Norway, when there are plenty of places to refuel even if not in mid-air. Lossiemouth to Orland air base is about 600 miles and to Bodø is about 860.The ferry range of an F-15E for example is about 1600 miles and that’s without extra fuel tanks. Typhoon is similar, maybe more. For F-35C it’s about 1500 miles. The answer is twofold. Most modern CATOBAR fighter jets could theoretically make use of the ramp on a carrier to take off lightly loaded. We’ve seen Rafale-Ms and F/A-18s doing this in the… Read more »

Ron
Ron
7 hours ago
Reply to  Jon

Hi Jon, thanks for the reply, first I would only like to say I used Northern Norway as an example. There has been times when a carrier has been used to ferry aircraft to combat zones. I am not sure on the air miles before service, but i can imagine that after a 1000 miles the aircraft needs some time in the garage. The range of a F35B is about 1000 miles, however they might need to fight their way in, so for N.Norway a tanker might be needed over the North Sea. Again a tanker is a strategic asset… Read more »

Mark P
Mark P
50 seconds ago
Reply to  Ron

Not quite sure this is what you’re asking but in theory a C130 could operate off the QE class carrier. Not sure you would need to plus we’ve stupidity sold ours