Britain's biggest warship HMS Prince of Wales sets sail for the North Atlantic

Crowds lined the shore as the UK's largest warship, HMS Prince of Wales, departed for the North Atlantic. The mighty aircraft carrier set off from Portsmouth Naval Base in Hampshire on Sunday to spearhead the UK Carrier Strike Group on a deployment to the Arctic and North Atlantic. Scores of onlookers waved and snapped photographs of the vessel as it sailed out of the harbour to commence the second phase of Operation Firecrest, which will centre on operational readiness, training, and bolstering Nato interoperability. The Royal Navy confirmed that stealth fighter jets would once again take to the skies over the High North. It stated that the deployment of the flagship aircraft carrier alongside Nato allies "is a powerful shield for the nation, ensuring that the critical energy, trade, and communication links we all rely on every day in the region remain secure". Flanked by Type-45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, Britain's flagship aircraft carrier set off with an air group made up of fifth-generation F-35 Jets, Merlin Mk4 Commando and Mk2 Anti-submarine helicopters, Wildcat helicopters and Malloy drones, according to the Royal Navy. In excess of 1,200 British personnel have been deployed as part of the Carrier Strike Group, working in close collaboration with allies including Norway, Denmark and Germany on operations designed to test and reinforce Nato interoperability, the Royal Navy added. Earlier this year, former Royal Navy chief Lord West of Spithead said: "The bottom line is the Navy's in a more parlous state than at any stage in the 60 years I've been on the active list. "It's too small, it's not been looked after properly, there's been insufficient (funds) spent on it, and I'm afraid it doesn't deliver what the nation needs." Armed forces minister Louise Sandher-Jones said: "The deployment of the HMS Prince of Wales and her air wing to the High North and the North Atlantic, operating under Nato leadership, is a clear demonstration of the UK's commitment to the alliance and contribution to the enduring security and stability of the North Atlantic." As part of the deployment, HMS Prince of Wales will host gatherings of military and political leaders in Oslo, with discussions centred on the collective security of Northern Europe. The Atlantic Future Forum and the International Sea Power Conference will unite defence chiefs, industry figures and policymakers to deliberate on the future of Euro-Atlantic security. HMS Prince of Wales will be accompanied by HMS Dauntless and the staff of UK Carrier Strike Group, under the command of Commodore Richard Hewitt. He said: "I am delighted to return to the Arctic and North Atlantic as we build on the successes of the first phase of Operation Firecrest. "Led by the UK Flagship HMS Prince of Wales, the strike group will bring together a range of assets and capabilities, while taking every opportunity to train, operate and integrate with our Nato allies and partners." Phase 2 of Operation Firecrest centres on "maintaining operational readiness, strengthening interoperability and ensuring the Carrier Strike Group are prepared to respond to the challenges of an increasingly important region", according to the Royal Navy.