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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor

Why is HMS Prince of Wales replacing HMS Queen Elizabeth on Nato mission?

Work is undertaken on the flight deck of the HMS Prince of Wales.
Work is undertaken on the flight deck of the HMS Prince of Wales. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

HMS Queen Elizabeth, one of Britain’s two flagship aircraft carriers, was forced to pull out of a Nato exercise off the Norwegian coast after pre-sailing checks uncovered a coupling problem on its starboard propeller shaft. Plans to set sail from Portsmouth on Sunday were abandoned and sister vessel HMS Prince of Wales is being readied hastily to take its place.

Didn’t another embarrassing breakdown happen recently?

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