Second British aircraft carrier en route to the Mediterranean

Just a few weeks ago, HMS Prince of Wales returned to its British home port of Portsmouth from the Cold Response 2022 Arctic manoeuvre, where it had been training with NATO units from various nations and leading the Joint Expeditionary Force. Now the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier has left its home port for the Atlantic again before the weekend to serve as the NATO flagship for Spain's annual "Flotex" exercise in the Mediterranean.

AgustaWestland Merlin Crowsnest AEW version. Photo: Crown Copyright

The carrier's programme includes a two-week workup off the British coast before heading to Spain and Portugal for port visits. From Rota, it will sail to the Mediterranean Serials together with a Spanish fleet contingent and the two Standing NATO (Maritime and Mine Coutermeasures) Groups 2.

In addition to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, two further Merlin helicopters in the AEW version "Crowsnest" (Airborne Early Warning) are to be embarked alongside the usual AgustaWestland Merlin HM2 sub-hunting helicopters.