UK Aircraft Carrier Bound for NATO Exercise Breaks Down, Departure Delayed... Security Concerns Spread

Departure delayed by one day... Trust plummets
Uncertainty spreads amid Trump NATO remarks

Two aircraft carriers of the British Navy, a major military power in NATO along with the United States, have consecutively failed to set sail or had their departures delayed due to malfunctions, spreading security concerns both inside and outside the UK. This comes amid growing unease following former President Donald Trump's remarks that NATO countries failing to pay defense costs would not be protected, drawing criticism from various quarters of British politics.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to the British BBC on the 12th (local time), the British aircraft carrier 'HMS Prince of Wales,' which was scheduled to depart from Portsmouth Naval Base the previous day, set sail for the Arctic Ocean, where NATO exercises are to be held, a day late. On the originally planned departure day, the British Navy had carried out various procedures such as traffic control, and hundreds of people gathered to watch the departure, but the cancellation sparked a flood of criticism.

Earlier, the Prince of Wales was scheduled to command over 40 warships from more than 24 countries during NATO's 'Steadfast Defender' exercise, set to take place in the Norwegian Arctic Ocean at the end of this month. The delay of this flagship's departure by a day has fueled security controversies both inside and outside the UK.

Originally, it was not the Prince of Wales but its sister ship, 'HMS Queen Elizabeth,' that was supposed to participate in this exercise. However, the Queen Elizabeth's participation was canceled after an abnormality was found in the right propeller shaft coupling during the final inspection just before departure on the 4th. Consequently, the Prince of Wales was to step in as a substitute, but its departure was delayed.

The British Ministry of Defence's explanation the previous day further fueled the security controversy. A spokesperson for the Ministry stated, "The Prince of Wales will set sail soon, depending on appropriate tidal and weather conditions," which drew more criticism, with many questioning how an aircraft carrier going to war could only sail when tides and weather are favorable.

The British Ministry of Defence has since acknowledged the mistake and is working to resolve the situation. Tom Tugendhat, the Ministry of Defence's Undersecretary, admitted in an interview with LBC Radio on the 12th, saying, "It is unacceptable that the Prince of Wales, which should be out protecting our interests, is docked in port."

However, it is expected to be difficult to alleviate the security anxieties of the British public, which have already been amplified by former President Trump's NATO remarks. Earlier, former President Trump sparked major controversy on the 10th during a campaign rally in South Carolina by stating that NATO member countries that do not properly pay defense costs cannot be protected from Russia.

Trump revealed that a NATO member leader once asked him, "If we don't pay (defense costs), will you protect us if we are attacked by Russia?" to which he replied, "If you are a delinquent, I would not protect you. I would rather encourage Russia to do as it wishes." He added that he reprimanded them by saying, "You got to pay your bill."