James Landale
Diplomatic correspondent

Image source, Reuters

The BBC has learned that HMS Prince of Wales, one of Britain’s two aircraft carriers, has been placed on advanced readiness to sail from Portsmouth.

Defence sources say the ship’s crew has been told they must be ready to leave in five days. Before this, the ship’s so-called “notice to sail” was 14 days.

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

The government has been accused of not acting fast enough to protect Cyprus from enemy drones and missiles. The Type 45 destroyer, HMS Dragon, has been deployed to the region but will be ready to leave port until next week.

HMS Prince of Wales is in Portsmouth receiving routine maintenance ahead of a planned deployment to the North Atlantic and Arctic later this year.

Image source, Andrew Matthews/PA

The carrier strike group was due to take part in Operation Firecrest alongside US, Canadian and European allies to deter Russian aggression in the High North.

A defence source tells the BBC the Prince of Wales has had “her readiness increased to five days’ notice to sail”.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the change in status for the carrier.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson says:

“We have been bolstering our UK military presence in the Middle East since January, and we have already deployed capabilities to protect British people and our allies in the region, including Typhoons, F-35 jets, air defence systems and an extra 400 personnel into Cyprus.

“Since the strikes began, we’ve had British jets in the sky shooting down drowns and have sent additional assets to the region to further reinforce our air defences, including more Typhoons and Wildcat helicopters with drone busting missiles.

“HMS Prince of Wales has always been on very high readiness and we are increasing the preparedness of the carrier, reducing the time it would take to set sail for any deployment.”