Where is HMS Prince of Wales now? Royal Navy carrier reaches Scotland on sea trials route - why is she there
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Crowds of people waved off HMS Prince of Wales from Portsmouth last week
The Royal Navy flagship have reached the next stage of her journey after leaving the city.
HMS Prince of Wales departed from HMNB Portsmouth last Friday (April 24). Proud families gathered along the Hotwalls to send best wishes to loves ones on board.
According to the UK Defence Journal, the 65,000 warship has arrived in Scotland to load ammunition ahead of Operation Firecrest. She will be visiting Glen Mallan for a routine logistics visit, where the ship-s company will load ammunition and supplies onto the carrier.
Glen Mallan, on the western shore of Loch Long in Argyll, has historically been used for such occasions ahead of major deployments. The carrier will be conducting sea trials, preparing both the vessel and the more than 900-strong ship’s company for future operations. HMS Duncan will also undertake similar drills.
The £3.2bn will soon be taking charge of the UK Carrier Strike Group in the North Atlantic and High North, as part of Nato’s Arctic Sentry mission. This is response to increased Russian activity in the region, with Gugi spy submarines spotted loitering over undersea cables in recent times. There has been a 30 per cent rise in Putin’s vessels being spotted in UK waters in the past two years. HMS Prince of Wales will complete combined training drills before starting Operation Firecrest.
Commander David Mason, the flagship‘s Commander - second-in-command to Captain Ben Power - previously said: “HMS Prince of Wales ship’s company is looking forward to sailing, for the first time since returning from deployment in 2025, with their headquarters and air wing embarked.”
Executive Warrant Officer David Wilson added: “After our time alongside the ship’s company is excited and keen to get back to sea.”