4/2/2023 0 Comments Prince spotlife![]() ![]() I expect an additional aircraft to be added to the 2024 or 2025 deliveries to make up for the lost aircraft. Current plans are for a further 7 in 2023, 4 in 2024 and 7 in 2025. Another 6 are due this year, with 3 likely to arrive in Spring (they’re already flying in the US, pre-delivery) and another 3 at the end of the year. Of those 47, 24 have been delivered to date (with 1 lost). That means we will have 47 on hand (as 1 has been lost) at the end of 2025. ![]() Covid, and Turkey’s exit, has led to re-scheduling of some deliveries. The ’48’ will have been delivered by the end of 2025 now. In addition to HMS PWLS, the RN contribution will include Royal Marines, HMS Albion, HMS Defender and a large contingent of other NATO warships. Russian military representatives will be asked to observe the exercise. Involving around 44,000 personnel it is the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War, although COVID considerations may still limit some of the land-based aspects. At least initially, the ship is unlikely to embark many F-35s, if at all, as the embryonic UK Lighting Force is still regenerating after the CSG21 deployment, although jets may feature later in the year.Įxercise Cold Response 22 is planned to take place in Norway and surrounding waters in March and April. Helicopters and UAVs from other nations are also likely to operate from her decks. Whether the ship will embark marines and operate in the amphibious role was not confirmed but besides being the command platform, the ship will likely host anti-submarine and troop-carrying Merlin Mk2 and 4s. According to the CO, Captain Steve Higham, the air group carried will be tailored to each mission (and availability of aircraft). French and US officers commented that the modern facilities and space afforded by the PWLS are especially welcome and can easily accommodate augmentees and additional personnel such as the staffs of the Standing NATO Maritime Groups. The multi-national NATO battle staff that will embark on the ship comprises around 120 people and HMS PWLS has received some enhancements to her command and control facilities for their use. Last-minute stores are loaded as the ship prepares to sail. Saluting HMS Mersey outbound from Portsmouth in the fog. (Photo: Navy Lookout)Ĭhange of command ceremony (Photo: Navy Lookout)įleet Commander, Rear Admiral Andrew Burns inspects HMS Prince of Wales honour guard after the change of command ceremony. The 2021 Integrated Review contained two main strategic pillars HMS QNLZ supported the “Global Britain” pillar last year while HMS PWLS act “ in support of NATO partners in the Euro-Atlantic” this year, arguably the more important of the two commitments.Ĭaptain Steve Higham, assumed command of HMS Prince of Wales in July 2021. Although there is a planned programme that includes exercises in the Arctic, Baltic, Mediterranean and a trip to the US, the RFTG is at high readiness to respond to events as they happen. She sailed from Portsmouth on 12th January for a 3-week shakedown and work up in preparation for a demanding year, of which about 200 days are expected to be spent sea.įor the calendar year of 2022, the carrier will be the command platform for Rear Admiral Mike Utley, RN (COMUKSTRKFOR) who will lead the NATO task group. Having overcome these setbacks, conducting initial workups around the UK (and a brief visit to Gibraltar), she was declared fully operational on 30th September. Her progress into service was delayed by a serious internal flood in October 2020 that cost £3.3 million to repair and a planned deployment to the US was cancelled last year. ![]() She will mark the start of her 50-year journey as the flagship of the NATO Response Force. With HMS Queen Elizabeth having been very much in the public eye last year, this year HMS Prince of Wales will become the focus of international attention. ![]() Here we report from a ceremony held onboard to mark the RN taking command of the NATO Response Force Task Group. 2022 will see HMS Prince of Wales begin to get into her stride as an operational warship. ![]()
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