The British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has arrived in Stavanger, Norway, after completing Exercise Tamber Shield, according to the naval group on its social media channels.
The port call comes after an intensive operation in Nordic waters that began earlier this month, when the carrier strike group departed from Scotland.
The naval force includes the destroyer HMS Duncan and the tanker RFA Tidespring, while operating under the command of the UK Carrier Strike Group. The mission is expected to continue toward the far north for further NATO activities, including Dynamic Mongoose, an exercise focused on anti-submarine warfare in northern Europe.
Exercise Tamber Shield was held in the fjords near Bergen and aimed to train the protection of high-value assets against coordinated attacks involving fast small boats and aerial threats in restricted navigation areas. The operations involved Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron, P2000 patrol boats and Norwegian vessels equipped with missiles operating alongside the carrier group.
According to the organisers, the training sought to simulate scenarios that could occur in Norway’s narrow fjords, where limited space makes manoeuvring more difficult and increases the need for close-range, integrated defence systems. NATO has expanded its focus on tactics to neutralise swarm attacks, particularly amid the growing use of low-cost unmanned platforms observed in recent conflicts.
HMS Prince of Wales is the second Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier of the British Royal Navy. The vessel is around 280 metres long, displaces approximately 65,000 tonnes and can carry up to 36 F-35B Lightning II fighter jets, as well as Merlin and Wildcat helicopters. The ship uses an integrated electric propulsion system powered by Rolls-Royce MT30 turbines and diesel generators, reaching a top speed of 25 knots. Stavanger, the ship’s current destination, has historical significance for the Royal Navy, having served as a base for Allied operations during the Second World War.
The UK’s Flagship, HMS Prince of Wales has arrived in Stavanger following Exercise TAMBER SHIELD. Working with partners and allies, she remains ready to continue operations in the North Atlantic and High North. @RoyalNavy pic.twitter.com/lw7lF2ekco
— HMS Prince of Wales (@HMSPWLS) May 14, 2026
Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: X @HMSPWLS | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
