The UK is preparing an aircraft carrier ahead of a possible deployment to the Middle East, the Ministry of Defense has said.
Royal Navy workers in Portsmouth are preparing HMS Prince of Wales, the navy’s flagship, meaning it could be deployed more quickly if a decision is made to mobilize it to the region.
No decisions have been made to deploy the aircraft carrier, The Guardian reported. A Ministry of Defense spokesperson said HMS Prince of Wales could also undertake other planned missions.
Crews have been alerted of a possible deployment to the Middle East, according to Sky News, which also reported that the ship’s movement notice has been shortened from 10 days to five. The warship would need to be escorted by other ships and a submarine.
If deployed, the carrier would join HMS Dragon, which will also be sent to the region. Conflict erupted in the region after US-Israeli airstrikes, which killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with other senior leaders.
The Ministry of Defense said RAF Typhoon and F-35 aircraft had continued to carry out air operations over Jordan, Qatar and Cyprus to “defend British interests”. The United States has also begun using British bases for “specific defensive operations,” and a B-1 Lancer arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Friday night. Three more followed on Saturday morning.
An MoD spokesperson said: “We have been strengthening our UK military presence in the Middle East since January, and have already deployed capabilities to protect the British people and our allies in the region, including Typhoons, F-35 aircraft, air defense systems and an additional 400 personnel in Cyprus.
“Since the attacks began, we have had British aircraft in the sky shooting down drones and have sent additional resources to the region to further reinforce our air defences, including more Typhoon and Wildcat helicopters with anti-drone missiles.
“HMS Prince of Wales has always been very ready and we are increasing the readiness of the aircraft carrier, reducing the time it would take to sail for any deployment.”
Keir Starmer has faced criticism from Conservatives for being slow to send warships and planes to the Middle East after the United States and Israel. On Thursday, the Prime Minister announced that the UK would send more fighter jets to the Middle East.
Two more Wildcat helicopters, which can also shoot down drones, arrived in Cyprus on Friday. The Ministry of Defense said on Saturday that a Merlin helicopter would be sent to the region to help with surveillance.
US and Israeli airstrikes and subsequent retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Iran have led to British citizens being evacuated back to Britain.
Meanwhile, the second government-chartered flight landed at Gatwick at 12.30am on Saturday. More than 6,500 Britons have returned from the United Arab Emirates since the conflict began.
The Foreign Office said more than 160,000 British citizens had registered their presence in the Middle East with the department.
