Today: 14 October 2025
5 February 2024
1 min read

HMS Chiddingfold sidelined from largest NATO exercises 

The HMS Queen Elizabeth will not join the exercises off Norway’s Arctic coast and will be replaced by the HMS Prince of Wales…reports Asian Lite News

A British aircraft carrier that had been set to lead the largest NATO exercises since the Cold War will not set sail on Sunday after a problem with its propeller was discovered during final checks, the Royal Navy said.

The HMS Queen Elizabeth will not join the exercises off Norway’s Arctic coast and will be replaced by the HMS Prince of Wales.

The change of plans is almost a reverse scenario of what happened in August 2022 when the Prince of Wales broke down with a propeller problem on its way to carry out training exercises with the United States and Canada off North America. The carrier had to be towed back to port from the Isle of Wight and the HMS Queen Elizabeth took its place in the exercises.

With the HMS Queen Elizabeth sidelined, the navy may not be able to deploy an aircraft to the Red Sea — as armed forces minister James Heappey has suggested — where hostilities have been heating up with Iran-backed Houthi rebels targeting cargo ships in the waters connecting Asia with Europe and the US.

The UK joined the US on Saturday in striking 36 Houthi targets in Yemen in a second wave of assaults meant to further disable Iran-backed groups that have relentlessly attacked American and international interests.

The propeller problem is the second setback for the Royal Navy in less than three weeks, following a collision by two warships in a harbour in Bahrain, causing damage to the vessels but no injuries.

Military officials said they were investigating the cause of the collision in which the HMS Chiddingfold appeared to reverse into the HMS Bangor as it was docked. The two minehunters were based in the Middle East to help protect merchant vessels.

The HMS Prince of Wales will now lead Exercise Steadfast Defender with a carrier strike of eight ships, four British, along with US, Spanish and Danish vessels. (AP)

ALSO READ-UK’s Royal Naval Ship HMS Spey visits Kochi

Previous Story

UAE SWAT Challenge: A crowd-pleasing spectacle

Next Story

Russia blames Ukraine after 28 killed in Lysychansk

Latest from -Top News

‘A Day to Rejoice’

In its statement, British Friends of Israel saluted the courage and resilience of the hostages and expressed deep sorrow for those who did not survive captivity After 737 days of anguish, the

UK to Lead Gaza Rebuild

PM announces an additional £20 million aid package aimed at providing essential water, sanitation and hygiene services to tens of thousands of people Prime Minister Keir Starmer attended the signing ceremony of

UK to host summit on Gaza recovery plan

The three-day conference, beginning Monday afternoon, will take place at Wilton Park, the Foreign Office’s policy forum based in West Sussex The UK will host an international summit on the recovery and

Gaza Truce Signed, Key Players Missing

Sisi reiterated support for the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire plan, stressing that the agreement must be “solidified and all its phases implemented…reports Asian Lite News A document formalising the recently brokered

Hamas Frees Captives

The Israeli Air Force announced that it has completed its preparations to receive hostages returning from Gaza to Israel….reports Asian Lite News The Red Cross has taken custody of the first group
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Czech army to receive German tanks in Ukraine aid compensation

Within the compensation package for Czech deliveries of military equipment

Global Investors Summit to catalyse infra growth, says Dhami

Uttarakhand CM says investment proposals worth more than Rs 20,000