Royal Navy chiefs are relying on a ‘jinxed’ aircraft carrier to send a warning to China.
Since first setting sail, the 65,000-tonne HMS Prince of Wales has suffered a litany of malfunctions costing an estimated £25 million. But the huge vessel is set to lead the Carrier Strike Group 2025 expedition in a bid to deter aggressive moves by Beijing in the Pacific.
The CSG 25 mission was unveiled in 2023 by then defence secretary Grant Shapps. Last night, the Prime Minister vowed not to turn a ‘blind eye’ to China’s expansionist agenda – which has included building military bases on previously uninhabited archipelagos.
Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘My visit to the Pacific has reinforced how important this part of the world is to the United Kingdom’s prosperity and security… I know across business, trade and defence, we play a vital role in supporting the region too.
‘As responsible international players, we cannot turn a blind eye to the challenges faced by our friends and partners on the other side of the world. So my message today is clear: this is just the beginning of our commitment to the Indo-Pacific.
Since first setting sail, the 65,000-tonne HMS Prince of Wales has suffered a litany of malfunctions costing an estimated £25 million
The huge vessel is set to lead the Carrier Strike Group 2025 expedition in a bid to deter aggressive moves by Beijing in the Pacific
‘Combining expertise, local knowledge and investment, I truly believe we can create unique opportunities for people both in the Pacific and at home, and in doing so, we play our part in ensuring a safer, fairer world.’
But that commitment hinges on HMS Prince of Wales – which was launched in December 2017 – overcoming the technical problems that have beset her service. The issues have led to suggestions by sailors that the carrier is ‘jinxed’.
She suffered a succession of major leaks in 2020 that led to flooding and, in 2022, broke down off the Isle of Wight hours after setting sail.
Divers found a malfunction with her 33-tonne starboard propeller, resulting in repairs that took nine months and cost millions of pounds in taxpayers’ money. Then, in 2023, her port propeller suffered similar issues, caused by misalignment when the vast carrier was constructed.
The findings of an inquiry into the breakdowns led to claims that the vessel had been rushed into service for political purposes. Between them, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth – the Navy’s lead aircraft carrier – cost Britain £7 billion. Commentators have suggested the vast expense has left insufficient resources for the Royal Navy to build other warships.
For the CSG 25, HMS Prince of Wales will be accompanied by Norwegian and Japanese vessels.
The announcement comes after Chinese president Xi Jinping attended the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit in Russia, at the invitation of Vladimir Putin
She suffered a succession of major leaks in 2020 that led to flooding and, in 2022, broke down off the Isle of Wight hours after setting sail
With a flight deck that is 230ft wide and 920ft long – enough space for three football pitches – she will dwarf the ships sailing with her
In recent days, HMS Prince of Wales has conducted exercises with her American counterpart, the USS Harry S Truman, in the North Sea
With a flight deck that is 230ft wide and 920ft long – enough space for three football pitches – she will dwarf the ships sailing with her. She has a minimum crew of 700, which can grow to 1,600 depending on how many fighter jets and helicopters she is carrying.
UK officials confirmed CSG 25 will visit Singapore to strengthen ties between the countries and mount patrols of Pacific islands.
Downing Street said the UK’s expansion into the region will also be focused on growth, as the Government seeks to increase investment opportunities.
As part of that, the UK will unveil a ‘Pacific Business Club’ alongside the Australian government to increase opportunities for UK businesses in developing economies in the region.
The announcement comes after Chinese president Xi Jinping attended the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit in Russia, at the invitation of Vladimir Putin. Several other prominent developing nations were present at the summit, including key Commonwealth countries India and South Africa.
In recent days, HMS Prince of Wales has conducted exercises with her American counterpart, the USS Harry S Truman, in the North Sea. This was part of the UK-led Exercise Strike Warrior.
Other Nato allies such as Finland and Belgium also took part. UK F-35 stealth jets took off and landed from HMS Prince of Wales and practised bombing runs.