Carrier put on faster notice to move
Britain has begun preparing the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales for a potential deployment to the Middle East, the Ministry of Defence said. The work is focused on reducing the time the ship would need to sail if ministers decide to send it to the region.
An MoD spokesperson said no decision has been taken to deploy the carrier and that it could still be used for other planned missions. Media reports said crews were alerted to the possibility of deployment and that the ship’s notice to move was shortened from 10 days to five.
UK expands military posture as conflict spreads
The preparations come as the UK bolsters its presence amid a widening regional conflict that began after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures. The MoD said British aircraft have continued air operations over Jordan, Qatar and Cyprus to defend British interests.
Britain has also been moving additional assets into the theatre. The MoD said it has deployed Typhoon and F-35 jets, air defence systems and an extra 400 personnel to Cyprus, and that British jets have been involved in shooting down drones since the strikes began. A Merlin helicopter is being sent to support surveillance, and additional Wildcat helicopters capable of counter-drone missions have arrived in Cyprus.
Carrier would sail with escorts
If authorised, HMS Prince of Wales would not deploy alone. Any movement would require supporting warships and a submarine for protection, according to reporting. The carrier would join other UK naval assets being sent to the region, including the destroyer HMS Dragon.
The MoD also said the United States has begun using British bases for specific defensive operations. It noted the arrival of B-1 Lancer aircraft at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
Evacuations accelerate as travel disruption persists
British nationals have been evacuated as the crisis has disrupted aviation and heightened security risks. A second government-chartered flight landed at Gatwick early Saturday, and more than 6,500 Britons have been brought back from the United Arab Emirates since the conflict began.
The Foreign Office said more than 160,000 British nationals have registered their presence in the Middle East with the department.
