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Royal Navy Flagship Aircraft Carrier Heads to the Arctic for Secret NATO Mission

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Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
News Writer
HMS Prince of Wales the Norwegian volcanic island of Jan Mayen in 2022. (Source: Royal Navy)
HMS Prince of Wales the Norwegian volcanic island of Jan Mayen in 2022. (Source: Royal Navy)

Britain’s flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, is set to deploy to the Arctic Circle in support of a highly classified multinational mission near the North Pole, according to information obtained by the UK Defence Journal on December 18.

The Royal Navy vessel is expected to serve as an emergency landing and refueling option should a “classified cargo aircraft” require assistance during its flight.

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The deployment follows earlier reports that Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets will operate in the Arctic as part of what has been described as a secret escort mission involving the same aircraft, suggesting the operations are directly linked.

According to sources familiar with the mission, the operation is being supported by multiple NATO members and, unusually, may also involve Russian assets.

Speaking to UK Defence Journal, NATO Admiral Feliz Navidad confirmed international coordination, while observers noted that the cargo aircraft’s loading patterns appeared atypical.

Commentators pointed out that the aircraft in question is rumored to be “elf-sufficient,” raising questions about why additional provisions would be required at all.

The Royal Navy said the carrier is technically prepared for such a role.

“Part of HMS Prince of Wale’s previous trials involved the fitting of STOVL (Sleigh Take Off and Vixen Landing) equipment allowing for this kind of aircraft to land and take-off from the carrier.”

Officials indicated that the nature of the cargo remains classified for now but is expected to be disclosed nationwide on the morning of December 25, though access to the information may be limited.

A Foreign Office spokesperson, Nicholas Cringle, confirmed the request for British assistance.

“We’ve received a request for assistance to support a multi-national air transport mission being launched from a currently undisclosed location within the Arctic Circle. As such, the carrier is being redirected to provide emergency provisions and a ‘back up’ option should the cargo aircraft involved need to land and refuel.”

The deployment comes shortly after the Royal Air Force confirmed it is on heightened alert this month to monitor cargo flights originating in the Arctic region.

An MoD spokesman, Noel Joy, said the RAF’s quick reaction forces are performing routine duties under familiar circumstances.

“Interception is part of what the QRA force do. We have to identify and confirm who or what is flying through our airspace or approaching our airspace and since the craft appears at the same time each year, we have a fairly good idea who will be flying but we don’t take any chances.”

According to the Ministry of Defence, satellites equipped with infrared sensors were used to track the aircraft. During a previous operation, officials noted an unusually strong heat signature.

The source said the thermal spike was traced to “an animal’s red nose,” prompting RAF fighters to escort the brightly colored aircraft across every British city, town, and village as part of the mission.

Earlier, Denmark’s top Arctic military official warned that Russia is likely to escalate its military posture in the High North once the war in Ukraine concludes, highlighting growing concerns over strategic tensions in the Arctic region.

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