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The Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, NATO’s flagship, has reportedly broken down after sailing for a four-month deployment to the United States.
As of Sunday, the $3.5 billion ship remains docked near the Isle of Wight while officials address mechanical issues.
HMS Prince of Wales, first launched in 2017, broke down on Saturday afternoon shortly after setting sail from Portsmouth.
A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “HMS Prince of Wales remains in the South Coast exercise area while it conducts an investigation into a new mechanical issue.” british defense journalreported the breakdown first.
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A source told the outlet that a diver had been dispatched to investigate the matter and reported damage to the propeller shaft.
The aircraft will be docked for several days while it is being repaired. It will then resume its voyage to North America, where the ship’s crew will undergo training alongside their U.S. and Canadian counterparts.
“The transatlantic transfer of the HMS Prince of Wales task group for the rest of the year will not only extend the boundaries of the UK’s carrier operations, but will also strengthen our close cooperation with our closest allies,” the statement said. .
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“From operating the F35 Lightning and drones to hosting the Atlantic Futures Forum, all of this would not be possible without the efforts of our incredible crew on their first deployment with the Royal Navy.”
Fox News has reached out to the Royal Air Force for updates.