UK preparing an aircraft carrier for possible deployment to the Middle East
Britain is preparing an aircraft carrier for possible deployment to the Middle East, reducing preparation time.
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said this did not mean Portsmouth-based HMS Prince of Wales, used to transport warplanes and helicopters, would be sent to the Gulf due to increased conflict in the region, but the Royal Navy’s flagship’s readiness had been increased.
Independent We understand that no decisions have been made regarding the deployment of the Prince of Wales.
A Ministry of Defense spokesperson said Independent: “We have been strengthening our UK military presence in the Middle East since January and have already deployed capabilities including Typhoons, F-35 jets, air defense systems and an extra 400 personnel to Cyprus to protect the British people and our allies in the region.
“Since the attacks began, British jets have been shooting down whoops in the sky (sic) and we have sent additional assets into the region to further strengthen our air defences, including more Typhoons and Wildcat helicopters with drone-destroying missiles.
“HMS Prince of Wales has always maintained a very high level of readiness and we are increasing the carrier’s readiness, thereby reducing the time required to sail for any deployment.”
The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is the flagship of the Royal Navy. His increased level of readiness does not prevent him from taking on other planned tasks.
Additionally, the Ministry of Defense said that the US had begun using British bases for “special defense operations” to prevent Iran from launching missiles into the region.
While a Merlin helicopter was also sent to the region for aerial surveillance, RAF Typhoon and F-35 jets continue air operations over Jordan, Qatar and Cyprus.
Meanwhile, more American bombers have landed in Britain as Donald Trump warned Iran would be “hit very hard” in another round of attacks.
The first 146ft B-1 Lancer arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Friday evening and was followed by three more on Saturday morning.
Sir Keir Starmer has allowed the US to take “defensive” action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases.
Armed forces chief Sir Richard Knighton said he expected the US to launch missions from its Gloucestershire base “within the next few days”.
A second government charter plane carrying British nationals from Oman touched down at Gatwick Airport early on Saturday as efforts continued to help people stranded in the war zone.
A third will leave Muscat, Oman, on Sunday, and the Foreign Office is also exploring options to charter a flight from Dubai to bring people back from the Middle East, the Press Association reported.
The latest arrivals join more than 9,000 Britons who have returned from the United Arab Emirates since widespread fighting began in the region.
It came as Kemi Badenoch said the prime minister was “too afraid of foreign intervention” and that the UK was “in this war whether Keir Starmer wants it or not”.
Speaking at the Conservative Party’s spring conference in Harrogate, Ms Badenoch said Sir Keir was “sitting on the other side” on the conflict in the Middle East and added that last week’s by-election won by the Greens had “scared” Labor.
He said: “Now Keir Starmer is too afraid to intervene outside for fear of offending a small section of the electorate.
“Everyone remembers the mistakes of the Iraq War, and no one in their right mind would suggest that we drop bombs without thinking.
“But Keir Starmer consulted lawyers for days to muster the courage to say whose side he was on.
“Canada and Australia had the moral clarity to do this immediately and unequivocally. Even now our prime minister is on the fence. We are in this war whether Keir Starmer likes it or not.”
