In a defining moment for Britain’s military posture, the Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales has achieved full operating capability under NATO command, marking a historic first for a British aircraft carrier.

The announcement, made by the Defence Secretary John Healey, underscores a bold shift toward a more assertive, alliance-centred defence strategy anchored in the UK’s newly adopted “NATO-First” doctrine.

The carrier, equipped with the most advanced F-35B fifth-generation stealth fighter jets, is now fully mission ready. Alongside its airborne surveillance assets and essential support ships, the vessel and its strike group now operate directly under NATO’s command structure — a clear signal that the UK intends to be embedded more deeply in the alliance’s warfighting capability.

Against the backdrop of mounting tensions in Europe, the elevation of HMS Prince of Wales to full operating capability carries significant weight. Britain’s decision to place one of its most potent maritime platforms under NATO command is more than symbolic: it reflects a recalibration of its role in European security, one that leans heavily on collective defence rather than unilateral ambition.

Defence Secretary John Healey, speaking aboard the carrier off the coast of Naples, praised the moment as “a proud moment for Britain,” framing it as a demonstration of allied resolve. “We are stepping up for European security and delivering on our NATO-first plan,” he said, noting that the integrated strike group will enhance alliance readiness and reinforce deterrence.

The announcement coincided with a ministerial meeting between UK and Italian officials, highlighting the deepening naval ties between two of NATO’s principal maritime powers. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasised that shared platforms and joint exercises were now indispensable tools in securing European waters.

NATO Exercise Falcon Strike: From Symbol to Substance

Central to this new posture was Exercise Falcon Strike, in which British and Italian F-35s flew side by side from the deck of the British carrier. According to official figures, the UK contingent has logged more than 1,000 sorties during the ship’s deployment — a testament to both operational maturity and alliance interoperability.

The strike group is now preparing to participate in NATO’s Neptune Strike, a large-scale Mediterranean exercise designed to test sea-based strike missions, anti-submarine warfare, and amphibious operations. For NATO, this represents a rare advantage: a fully capable, carrier-based asset integrated under its command.

This deployment and deepened NATO integration stem directly from the UK’s newly published Strategic Defence Review, which places “warfighting readiness” at the centre of Britain’s future force posture. The review sets out a transformed defence model that restores high-intensity combat capability after years of relative contraction.

A key plank of the SDR is the “NATO-First” principle, under which the UK seeks to place its most powerful assets — including its aircraft carriers — at the disposal of the alliance. For the Royal Navy, this means evolving the carrier strike capability into a hybrid force blending manned platforms like the F-35 with advanced uncrewed systems, long-range strike weapons, and enhanced surveillance suites.

Innovation, Commitment and Industrial Backing

Beneath the headlines lies a significant technological achievement. During its deployment, HMS Prince of Walesconducted more than 50 uncrewed air landings, showcasing the Royal Navy’s growing integration of autonomous systems — a clear signal to competitors that Britain is modernising rapidly.

Alongside platforms, the SDR calls for a revival of the defence industrial base, with investment aimed at next-generation weapons, digital targeting networks, and autonomous technologies. The government hopes these programmes will not only strengthen national security, but also drive high-skilled employment across the UK.

Yet, for all the official optimism, the move has not been without criticism. Some in Westminster and the defence community question whether placing such a significant national asset under NATO command risks diluting sovereign control. While few dispute the value of alliance integration, sceptics warn that the UK could find itself in situations where alliance demands clash with national priorities.

There are also profound concerns about depth of capability. A carrier is only as strong as the escorts, aircraft, submarines and logistics that support it. With destroyers and frigates often stretched across multiple commitments, critics argue that the UK may be in danger of over-extending a fleet that remains numerically fragile.

Then comes the issue of cost. Operating a carrier strike group with F-35s is among the most expensive endeavours in modern defence. Although the Strategic Defence Review promises increased investment, doubts remain over whether future governments — or the Treasury — will maintain the financial discipline required for long-term sustainability.

The shift toward uncrewed systems, celebrated by ministers as a sign of British innovation, has also sparked debate. While autonomous operations strengthen capability, they raise new ethical, legal and operational questions that, critics argue, must not be allowed to trail behind technological progress.

Still, supporters contend that the risks of doing too little far outweigh the risks of doing more. With European security more precarious than at any point since the Cold War, they argue that Britain must be prepared to shoulder greater responsibilities — and that HMS Prince of Wales under NATO command is precisely the kind of leadership the moment demands.

As HMS Prince of Wales sails under NATO authority for the first time, it carries more than aircraft; it carries a declaration of intent. In choosing to place its most formidable maritime asset at the centre of the alliance, Britain signals that its defence strategy now rests firmly on shared strength — and that readiness, not rhetoric, will define the years ahead.

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