Modern supercarriers like the USS Gerald R. Ford, INS Vikrant, and HMS Queen Elizabeth represent the pinnacle of maritime engineering, self-sustaining hubs that can operate for months in hostile waters without support.

5,000 people, nuclear reactors and jet runways: How modern aircraft carriers power the world’s mightiest navies

The planned departure of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, which was set to lead the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War, has been abruptly cancelled after an issue with a propeller shaft was detected during final checks.

HMS Queen Elizabeth will now be replaced by HMS Prince of Wales in the NATO exercises involving over 40 vessels.&nbsp;

<h2>A routine problem?</h2>

This setback follows a similar incident 18 months ago when the sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, experienced a breakdown off the Isle of Wight due to a malfunction with a coupling on its starboard propeller.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scotland-set-to-increase-minimum-alcohol-price-by-30-to-curb-health-crisis-687169">Scotland set to increase minimum alcohol price by 30% to curb health crisis</a>

On X, formerly Twitter, the Royal Navy posted: "Routine pre-sailing checks yesterday identified an issue with a coupling on HMS Queen Elizabeth starboard propeller shaft. As such, the ship will not sail on Sunday."

"HMS Prince of Wales will take her place on NATO duties and will set sail for exercise Steadfast Defender as soon as possible."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Routine pre-sailing checks yesterday identified an issue with a coupling on <a href="https://twitter.com/HMSQNLZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HMSQNLZ</a> starboard propeller shaft. As such, the ship will not sail on Sunday.<a href="https://twitter.com/HMSPWLS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HMSPWLS</a> will take her place on NATO duties and will set sail for Exercise Steadfast Defender as soon as possible. <a href="https://t.co/ImAeTU80vi">pic.twitter.com/ImAeTU80vi</a>
— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalNavy/status/1753889301157282215?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

As per the Independent, it is primed to lead a carrier strike involving eight ships, with four British vessels, including the frigate HMS Somerset and two Tide-class tankers from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. It would be supported by vessels from the US, Spain, and Denmark.

Also joining the strike are F-35B Lightning stealth fighters from the 617 "Dambusters" Squadron at RAF Marham, along with submarine hunting and airborne early warning Merlin Mk2 helicopters from RNAS Culdrose. Battlefield Wildcat helicopters of 847 Naval Air Squadron from RNAS Yeovilton are also part of the line-up.

The cancellation comes amid warnings that Britain is ill-prepared for an all-out war due to stockpile shortages and an armed forces recruitment crisis.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lufthansa-faces-turbulence-airlines-groundstaff-to-stage-one-day-strike-over-pay-dispute-687189">Lufthansa faces turbulence: Airlines groundstaff to stage one-day strike over pay dispute</a>

As per the House of Commons defense committee, the military is "consistently overstretched", exacerbated by recruitment and retention challenges that have seen more people leaving than joining the armed forces, reports the Independent.

The cross-party group of MPs also said that the nation's military has been "hollowed out", leaving the UK unprepared for war amid increasing global instability.

(With inputs from agencies)

The planned departure of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, which was set to lead the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War, has been abruptly cancelled after an issue with a propeller shaft was detected during final checks.

The planned departure of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, which was set to lead the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War, has been abruptly cancelled after an issue with a propeller shaft was detected during final checks. HMS Queen Elizabeth will now be replaced by HMS Prince of Wales in the NATO exercises involving over 40 vessels. A routine problem? This setback follows a similar incident 18 months ago when the sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, experienced a breakdown off the Isle of Wight due to a malfunction with a coupling on its starboard propeller. Also read | Scotland set to increase minimum alcohol price by 30% to curb health crisis On X, formerly Twitter, the Royal Navy posted: "Routine pre-sailing checks yesterday identified an issue with a coupling on HMS Queen Elizabeth starboard propeller shaft. As such, the ship will not sail on Sunday." "HMS Prince of Wales will take her place on NATO duties and will set sail for exercise Steadfast Defender as soon as possible." Routine pre-sailing checks yesterday identified an issue with a coupling on @HMSQNLZ starboard propeller shaft. As such, the ship will not sail on Sunday.@HMSPWLS will take her place on NATO duties and will set sail for Exercise Steadfast Defender as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/ImAeTU80vi — Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) February 3, 2024 × As per the Independent, it is primed to lead a carrier strike involving eight ships, with four British vessels, including the frigate HMS Somerset and two Tide-class tankers from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. It would be supported by vessels from the US, Spain, and Denmark. Also joining the strike are F-35B Lightning stealth fighters from the 617 "Dambusters" Squadron at RAF Marham, along with submarine hunting and airborne early warning Merlin Mk2 helicopters from RNAS Culdrose. Battlefield Wildcat helicopters of 847 Naval Air Squadron from RNAS Yeovilton are also part of the line-up. The cancellation comes amid warnings that Britain is ill-prepared for an all-out war due to stockpile shortages and an armed forces recruitment crisis. Also read | Lufthansa faces turbulence: Airlines groundstaff to stage one-day strike over pay dispute As per the House of Commons defense committee, the military is "consistently overstretched", exacerbated by recruitment and retention challenges that have seen more people leaving than joining the armed forces, reports the Independent. The cross-party group of MPs also said that the nation's military has been "hollowed out", leaving the UK unprepared for war amid increasing global instability. (With inputs from agencies)

Royal Navy’s HMS Queen Elizabeth pulls out of NATO exercise after propeller shaft snag

Britain's&nbsp;Queen&nbsp;Elizabeth&nbsp;visited the country's&nbsp;new&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;carrier&nbsp;on Saturday, named in her honour before&nbsp;it leads a flotilla of Royal Navy ships to&nbsp;Asian waters on its maiden operational&nbsp;voyage.

The&nbsp;queen, aged 95, stepped aboard the HMS&nbsp;Queen&nbsp;Elizabeth&nbsp;in Portsmouth, seven years after she named the vessel alongside her late husband Prince Philip who died last month.

The 65,000-tonne&nbsp;Queen&nbsp;Elizabeth&nbsp;will carry eight British F-35B fighter jets and 10 US&nbsp;F-35s as well as 250 US&nbsp;marines as part of a 1,700-strong crew.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britains-queen-elizabeth-aircraft-carrier-to-visit-japan-south-korea-on-maiden-deployment-380844">Britain's Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier to visit Japan, South Korea on maiden deployment</a>

It will lead the flotilla alongside two destroyers, two frigates, a submarine and two support ships on its journey of 26,000 nautical miles over 28 weeks. The group will be joined by a US&nbsp;destroyer and a frigate from the Dutch navy.

The group will sail through the contested South China Sea, parts of which are claimed by China and South-East&nbsp;Asian countries, on its way to the Philippine Sea. The ships will also stop in India and Singapore.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uks-largest-naval-ship-to-sail-to-india-next-month-380639">UK's largest naval ship to sail to India next month</a>

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the deployment will help to project British soft power such as a belief in democracy and the rule of law.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth visited the country's new aircraft carrier on Saturday, named in her honour before it leads a flotilla of Royal Navy ships to Asian waters on its maiden operational voyage.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth visited the country's new aircraft carrier on Saturday, named in her honour before it leads a flotilla of Royal Navy ships to Asian waters on its maiden operational voyage. The queen, aged 95, stepped aboard the HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth, seven years after she named the vessel alongside her late husband Prince Philip who died last month. The 65,000-tonne Queen Elizabeth will carry eight British F-35B fighter jets and 10 US F-35s as well as 250 US marines as part of a 1,700-strong crew. Also Read | Britain's Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier to visit Japan, South Korea on maiden deployment It will lead the flotilla alongside two destroyers, two frigates, a submarine and two support ships on its journey of 26,000 nautical miles over 28 weeks. The group will be joined by a US destroyer and a frigate from the Dutch navy. The group will sail through the contested South China Sea, parts of which are claimed by China and South-East Asian countries, on its way to the Philippine Sea. The ships will also stop in India and Singapore. Also Read | UK's largest naval ship to sail to India next month British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the deployment will help to project British soft power such as a belief in democracy and the rule of law.

UK's Queen Elizabeth visits new aircraft carrier before Asia voyage

U.S. and UK military personnel conducted joint military exercises off the British coast this week. F35 fighter jets from UK and U.S. forces were seen landing and taking off from HMS Queen Elizabeth on Thursday (October 1), ahead of the 65,000-tonne carrier’s full deployment overseas in 2021.

UK and US conduct military drills off British coast