Royal Navy: Powerful HMS Prince of Wales to be placed under Nato command amid Mediterranean exercises
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The Royal Navy flagship will be placed under direct Nato command in a European first.
HMS Prince of Wales is now under the guidance of the alliance after returning to the Mediterranean on the tail-end of her extensive Indo-Pacific deployment. She is currently in the midst of Exercise Falcon Strike, a extensive series of carrier strike group drills led by the Italian Navy.
Defence secretary John Healey and foreign secretary Yvette Cooper are visiting Naples and will host their Italian counterparts on the 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier. The move for the first time means that Nato will have a carrier strike group under its command: including the huge aircraft carrier, accompanying warships and support vessels, and F-35 fighter jets.
Mr Healey insisted that placing the carrier strike group under Nato command was an example of the UK’s “Nato-first” plan, set out in the Strategic Defence Review earlier this year. It called for the UK to move towards being ready to fight a war, and centre its preparations in Europe, and on arming the Western alliance’s joint forces.
“We are in a new era of threat that demands a new era for defence,” he added. “Our strength comes from hard power and strong alliances, so it is fitting to mark this moment alongside one of our closest Nato allies in Italy. Their F-35s have been operating from the carrier to demonstrate the deep partnership between our militaries.”
Mr Healey and Ms Cooper will hold talks with Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto and foreign minister Antonio Tajani. Topics at the heart of discussions include bolstering Europe to fight against Russia, and countering hybrid threats to the continent’s security.
The UK Carrier Strike Group will then take part in Exercise Neptune Strike, testing the alliance’s ability to strike targets at sea, make amphibious landings, and launch jets from HMS Prince of Wales’ flight deck.
Foreign secretary Ms Cooper said “partnerships we build abroad make us stronger at home”. She added: “With Italy we are developing the fighter jets of the future, supporting thousands of British jobs, and delivering security for Nato in the Mediterranean and across Europe.
“These joint exercises in the Bay of Naples are the clearest demonstration of how the UK is working with our allies to keep our continent safe, deterring our adversaries and enhancing our ability to respond together to emerging threats.”
HMS Prince of Wales is on an eight-month deployment as part of Operation Highmast after leaving Portsmouth on April 22 - taking part in major drills in Japan, Australia, India and elsewhere. Its latest tour will see British forces work alongside those from Greece, Albania and Spain.