HMS Prince of Wales Sale Rumors Refuted Amidst Budget Concerns

Defense News ,UK :-  In recent days, there have been speculations about the potential sale of HMS Prince of Wales, the UK's second aircraft carrier, at a reduced price to address budgetary constraints for defense spending. However, the Royal Navy has emphatically denied these rumors, asserting its unwavering commitment to operating both HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. The speculations emerged amid concerns over the budget, with next week's announcement not anticipated to include an increase in military funding.

According to senior naval sources, there were indications that the vessel might be sold to an allied nation as early as 2028, possibly to offset the challenges of maintaining both carriers, given the substantial manpower and support ship requirements. The concerns also revolved around the potential mothballing of HMS Prince of Wales to prioritize the flagship, HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The construction of these two warships was approved in 2007, amounting to a combined cost of £7 billion. However, recent years have seen growing apprehensions about the UK's ability to adequately staff the 65,000-tonne carriers, each demanding 700 crew members and a support ship for operational efficiency. Presently, the Royal Navy possesses only one such support ship, RFA Fort Victoria, which is slated for retirement in 2028.

Naval insiders cited "changes in Government and budgets" as factors placing the carriers at risk of being sold to allied nations like Australia or the United States at a discounted price. Former defense secretary Ben Wallace emphasized the necessity for adequate funding for the Armed Forces, warning against Britain becoming a "follower, not a leader on the world stage." He also highlighted the UK's failure to fulfill its promised contributions to NATO over the past two decades.

Penny Mordaunt, MP for Portsmouth North, where the country's largest naval base is located, conveyed her concerns about defense budgets and stressed the need to protect national interests. She mentioned her discussions with the Chancellor about initiatives with UK Civil Reserve to enhance defense capabilities.

The HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth, constituting the Royal Navy's two-part Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier fleet, boast an expected service life of up to 50 years. These carriers play a crucial role in active conflict scenarios, facilitating carrier strike missions, enforcing no-fly zones, and deploying Royal Marine Commandos.

Amid these discussions, Defense Secretary Grant Shapps urged American politicians to support Ukraine, emphasizing the broader interests of the United States. During a visit to Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, Shapps addressed the impasse in the United States Congress over President Joe Biden's proposed $60 billion military aid package for Kyiv.

Shapps stressed the importance of global contributions to the Ukraine situation and expressed the UK's commitment to reaching a defense spending target of 2.5 percent of GDP. He underscored the priority of the defense of the nation and mentioned that he had advocated for even higher spending, proposing 3 percent before becoming defense secretary.

While Shapps refrained from speculating on the outcome of the upcoming Budget announcement by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, he reiterated the UK's commitment to enhancing defense capabilities and emphasized the need for increased spending, especially in the context of current global security challenges. Shapps' visit included interactions with Ukrainian troops, British trainee soldiers, and an inspection of military equipment and training exercises, further highlighting the significance of a robust defense strategy in the face of evolving geopolitical dynamics.