HMS Prince of Wales has set sail from Portsmouth and will begin an 8-month deployment as part of Operation Highmast.
The £3B aircraft carrier left port yesterday to be part of a joint exercise accompanied by Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, joining a formation of other warships off the coast of Cornwall.
The NATO operation, which involves 4,500 military personnel from other countries, is designed to demonstrate a credible deterrent to hostile forces.
Commenting as HMS Prince of Wales departs Portsmouth on a major deployment, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said: “I join all Portsmouth people in proudly bidding farewell to HMS Prince of Wales as she departs from our city today on one of the biggest deployments yet.
“Our aircraft carriers show our nation’s Naval might and I know Portsmouth people will be feeling proud today of the vital role our city plays in pursuing peace and stability both at home and abroad.
“For some in our community, today will also be bittersweet as they say goodbye to their friends and loved ones who will be carrying out such courageous and important work on this deployment.
“On days like today, I am pleased at the action the government has already taken to support Portsmouth’s leading role in making Britain stronger and safer including through crucial new investment to upgrade His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth.”
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