UK’s $4.7B aircraft carrier breaks down on way to operation against Houthis

U.K.’s flagship aircraft carrier breaks down offshore of England, canceling plans to join NATO exercise against Houthis in Yemen

Britain’s new flagship aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth broke down off the coasts of England on Sunday because of a mechanical fault.

The 3.5 billion pounds ($4.7 billion) carrier canceled its journey to the Middle East after engineers found a significant issue with its starboard propeller shaft.

Having come into service only in 2020, HMS Queen Elizabeth could now be docked for several months.

The Royal Navy is now sending the recently repaired HMS Prince of Wales to join up with other NATO vessels for a drill in Middle Eastern waters.

The aircraft carrier, along with other ships, was supposed to take part in a major NATO exercise and also join United States warships in the Red Sea that are engaged in a series of airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen.

Source: Newsroom