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UK aircraft carrier given five days to be ready to deploy
BBC News ^ | March 7, 2026 | James Landale, Ian Casey

Posted on 03/07/2026 11:14:02 AM PST by MinorityRepublican

One of the UK's two aircraft carriers has been placed on advanced readiness to sail from Portsmouth, the BBC understands.

The crew of HMS Prince of Wales have been told they must be ready to leave in five days, defence sources said.

This may raise speculation the carrier could be deployed to the Mediterranean to help defend British interests threatened during the conflict in the Middle East.

Before this, the ship's "notice to sail" was 14 days.

Meanwhile, more US B-1 Lancer bombers have arrived at RAF Fairford.

The government has been accused of not acting fast enough to protect Cyprus from enemy drones and missiles.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer denied the UK was not prepared for the conflict, saying Britain had begun pre-deploying assets to the region earlier this year - particularly to Qatar and Cyprus - alongside the US and other allies.

Defence sources said 400 additional UK personnel had been sent over the past weeks to support air defence activities across the UK's bases in Cyprus.

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...


TOPICS: Iran; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS:
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1 posted on 03/07/2026 11:14:02 AM PST by MinorityRepublican
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To: MinorityRepublican

So it will two weeks by the time it sets sail. “I am not dealing with Churchill”


2 posted on 03/07/2026 11:19:07 AM PST by gibsonguy
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To: MinorityRepublican

Thank you President Autopen for running from Afghanistan.


3 posted on 03/07/2026 11:21:05 AM PST by fso301
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To: MinorityRepublican

“How far the mighty have fallen.”


4 posted on 03/07/2026 11:23:28 AM PST by RoosterRedux (“Critical thinking is hard; that’s why most people just jump to conclusions.”—Jung (paraphrased))
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To: MinorityRepublican
HMS Dragon mission delayed ‘because dockyard only works nine-to-five’ Portsmouth no longer works around the clock thanks to a new ‘cost-cutting’ contract, union claims

Behind a pay wall, but the headline really does say it all in this case.

5 posted on 03/07/2026 11:25:05 AM PST by mewzilla (Swing away, Mr. President, swing away! 🇺🇸 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿)
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To: MinorityRepublican

Britain, your main threats don’t require a navy. It requires the British Army with fixed bayonets and Gurkhas.......gurkhaing, or whatever is the word that they do.


6 posted on 03/07/2026 11:31:19 AM PST by Salvavida
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To: MinorityRepublican

Certain UK wits have sarcastically labeled the HMS Dragon “the only boat Starmer has prevented from crossing the channel.” Ouch.


7 posted on 03/07/2026 11:32:17 AM PST by Billthedrill
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To: MinorityRepublican

Five days... + how many to actually get under way?

Five Days from today - Thursday.
From yesterday - Wednesday.

The Prince of Wales ‘ski jump’ launch ramp looks like it unnecessarily applies structural stresses to the aircraft.


8 posted on 03/07/2026 11:33:24 AM PST by citizen (A transgender male competing against women may be male, but he's no man.)
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To: MinorityRepublican

“HMS Prince of Wales” is a choice of names recalling an unfortunate naval history.


9 posted on 03/07/2026 11:33:56 AM PST by Carry_Okie (The tree of liberty needs a rope.)
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To: Billthedrill

HAH!


10 posted on 03/07/2026 11:34:12 AM PST by citizen (A transgender male competing against women may be male, but he's no man.)
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To: MinorityRepublican; All

Trump should just tell Keir Starmer, “don’t bother.”


11 posted on 03/07/2026 11:37:24 AM PST by Cobra64 (ECommon sense isn’t common anymore. )
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To: citizen
Five days... + how many to actually get under way?

Five business days.

12 posted on 03/07/2026 11:39:07 AM PST by MinorityRepublican
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To: MinorityRepublican
"One of two..."

They only have two aircraft carriers right?

13 posted on 03/07/2026 11:42:52 AM PST by mass55th (“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ― John Wayne)
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To: mass55th

Yes. They struggle to find enough ships to escort their carriers. So they need to ask their allies.


14 posted on 03/07/2026 11:47:12 AM PST by MinorityRepublican
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To: MinorityRepublican
This may raise speculation the carrier could be deployed to the Mediterranean to help defend British interests threatened during the conflict in the Middle East.

What side will the Islamic Caliphate of Great Britain be fighting on?

It's a fair question.

15 posted on 03/07/2026 11:48:39 AM PST by Drew68
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To: mewzilla

HMS Draggin’ a** will be ready someday soon.


16 posted on 03/07/2026 11:49:44 AM PST by SaxxonWoods (Annnd....I voted for this too!)
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To: Drew68

If s already answered.
UK is a caliphate.
They are damn near useless.
Starmer is a weasel and a traitor. We need the stop sharing intelligence with those bastards.
Britain, France and Spain aren’t our allies. Same with the Chicom Canadians.
No more free stuff for them.


17 posted on 03/07/2026 11:58:42 AM PST by 1ScrappyArmyMom
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To: MinorityRepublican

But everything stops at four for high tea.


18 posted on 03/07/2026 12:22:14 PM PST by Ge0ffrey
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To: RoosterRedux

Scold, Britannia

Britannia scolds the waves

Britons never ever shall offend Muslim lords


19 posted on 03/07/2026 12:50:14 PM PST by HombreSecreto (The life of a repo sman is always intense)
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To: RoosterRedux
“How far the mighty have fallen.”

For too long they've leaned on the U.S. for support. Now they can't even defend Cyprus. I wouldn't be surprised if Argentina decided that it's a good time to retake the Falklands.

20 posted on 03/07/2026 1:15:15 PM PST by throwthebumsout
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