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Carrier placed on heightened readiness
The Royal Navy's HMS Prince of Wales has been ordered to prepare for departure from Portsmouth within five days, defence sources confirmed on Sunday. The move halves the ship's previous 14-day notice period and fuels speculation it may be sent to the Mediterranean amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Political pressure and US criticism
Former US President Donald Trump criticised UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Saturday for what he called delayed action. In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed the UK was only now "giving serious thought" to deploying carriers, adding: "We don't need people that join wars after we've already won."
Starmer rejected accusations of unpreparedness, stating Britain had pre-positioned assets in the region-particularly in Qatar and Cyprus-earlier this year alongside US and allied forces. He also defended his decision not to allow US strikes on Iran from British bases during the initial assault, insisting the government must maintain a "cool head."
"We don't need people that join Wars after we've already won!"
Donald Trump, Truth Social
UK military buildup in the region
Defence officials revealed 400 additional UK personnel have been dispatched in recent weeks to reinforce air defences across British bases in Cyprus. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) also confirmed US B-1 Lancer bombers began arriving at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Friday, with three more jets and a C-5 transport aircraft landing on Saturday.
The MoD stated: "We have been bolstering our military presence in the Middle East since January, deploying Typhoons, F-35 jets, air defence systems, and extra personnel to protect British citizens and allies." Since hostilities escalated, UK aircraft have intercepted drones, while further assets-including Wildcat helicopters equipped with anti-drone missiles-have been sent to the region.
Protests and public reaction
Dozens of anti-war demonstrators gathered outside RAF Fairford on Saturday, holding flags and placards opposing military action. A smaller counter-protest showed support for the UK armed forces.
In London, thousands marched toward the US Embassy, condemning attacks on Iran as "illegal, unprovoked, and unjustified." Protesters carried signs reading "Hands off Iran" and "Stop Trump's Wars," while a separate demonstration from Downing Street to the Iranian Embassy demanded a "free and democratic Iran." Many criticised both the US and UK governments, urging Britain not to follow Washington's lead uncritically.
Ship capabilities and planned operations
HMS Prince of Wales, one of two Queen Elizabeth-class carriers, is undergoing routine maintenance in Portsmouth ahead of a scheduled deployment to the North Atlantic and Arctic later this year. The 280-metre vessel can carry up to 24 F-35B stealth fighters, helicopters, drones, and a crew of 1,600, with a range of 500 nautical miles per day.
The carrier was set to participate in Operation Firecrest, a multinational exercise aimed at countering Russian activity in the High North. An MoD spokesperson said the ship "has always been on very high readiness," and the reduced notice period reflects increased preparedness for potential deployment.
Meanwhile, Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon has been assigned to the region but will not depart Portsmouth until next week.
