The Royal Navy has shut down rumours that the HMS Prince of Wales is set to be sold to raise cash for defence spending.
Several senior Naval figures suggested the vessel might have to be sold after it was revealed that next week’s Budget will not include a rise in defence spending.
They worried that the £3.5million aircraft carrier could be sold to a friendly nation as soon as 2028, as part of attempts to retain the flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Sources told the Daily Mail that the possible move – dubbed the “HS2 moment” for the Royal Navy – would come around quickly if defence finances weren’t bolstered.
The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales will NOT be sold, officials sayGettyHowever, a Royal Navy spokesperson silenced the rumours.
They said: “These claims are categorically incorrect. We are fully committed to operating both HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.”
Earlier this month, the HMS Prince of Wales stood in for its sister ship in the “largest Nato exercise since Cold War”, after a problem was found with the HMS Queen Elizabeth’s starboard propeller shaft.
The military exercise, known as the “Steadfast Defender”, is planned for early March off Norway's arctic coast.
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The exercise aims to repel invasions and attacks from countries that could pose a threat to Nato members.
Whilst Nato did not mention Russia by name in its announcement, its top strategic document identifies Moscow as the most significant threat to member states.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the exercise will provide “vital reassurance against the Putin menace”.
Shapps added: "Now is the time for all allied and democratic nations across the world to… ensure their defence spending is grown, because the era of the peace dividend is over.”
Last month, Defence Minister James Cartlidge suggested that Britain’s aircraft carriers are ready to be deployed to the Red Sea should further military action be required.
James Cartlidge told GB News last month that Britain's aircraft carriers are ready to be deployed to the Red Sea if needed
UK ParliamentMultiple reports have claimed that the 70,000-ton carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are unable to be sent to participate in operations against the Houthi rebels because of the unavailability of one of the Navy's support ships.
It has been reported that the Navy does have the option of sending a carrier because a logistics ship, RFA Fort Victoria is laid up due to a shortage of personnel in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
However, speaking to GB News, Cartlidge told Camillia Tominey that there was “no truth whatsoever" in those reports.
“Just to be absolutely clear, there is no truth whatsoever in the suggestion that we cannot deploy the carrier.
“I’m pleased to confirm both our carriers are in Portsmouth, they are at readiness and they are available to be deployed if needed, if the operational decision is that that is the appropriate response.”