UK’s defective Nato flagship could miss ‘landmark’ flight trials

HMS Prince of Wales returns to waters near Portsmouth after breaking down off the Isle of Wight. Photograph: Ben Mitchell/PA

Britain’s biggest warship could miss important flight trials with jets off the US coast after it suffered a propeller shaft malfunction shortly after setting sail, the Royal Navy has said.

HMS Prince of Wales, a £3bn aircraft carrier, left Portsmouth naval base on Saturday and suffered an “emerging mechanical issue” off the south-east coast of the Isle of Wight.