Strange aircraft flown over HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth as Royal Navy carriers sit at base

A small plane was flown over both Royal Navy aircraft carriers while sitting at Portsmouth Naval Base.

The light aircraft was seen doing circles roughly 1,000ft above HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth last week. Former Conservative MP and chair of the defence select committee, Tobias Ellwood, said he was responsible for the incident and that there were major security concerns at the base.

Speaking to Forces News, he said he “couldn’t believe it”. “I can't think of any other country where that would be allowed,” he added.

“Firstly, it's a recognition that we aren't in the mindset to protect our assets. And, secondly, I know for a fact that there's no air defence there."

A spotlight has been put on Britain’s air defences after Iran threatened to strike certain military establishments as missiles, naming RAF Fairford due to American aircraft being loaded with bombs at the site. The government responded by saying the UK “stands ready to defend itself 24/7”.

Forces News said the UK doesn’t have a recognised integrated air and missile system, but relies on the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers to shoot down ballistic missiles. Iran and its associated militias have been using mass-produced Shahed drones to strike targets.

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This autonomous capability was used to hit RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, an incident which led to HMS Dragon being deployed to the eastern Mediterranean and then the Middle East. Mr Ellwood said: “How long is it going to be until one of those shadow fleet trawlers sends a Shahed or drone missile into the side of the aircraft carrier?

“Now, it won't do a huge lot of damage. It might, but ultimately just shows that we're not even thinking about the type of warfare, the type of attack that we could be subject to. It would cause chaos, and there'll be big questions as to why we aren't doing more.”

The Royal Navy have been approached for comment.