Secret War Simulations Reveal British Aircraft Carriers “Sunk” by Enemy Missile Strikes

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The British Armed Forces have reportedly conducted secret war game simulations involving various scenarios to test the Royal Navy’s ability to operate and survive against a formidable military force.

According to revelations by British newspaper The Times,  the results of these simulations were concerning, particularly for the Royal Navy’s two aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, which were constructed at a cost of USD $7.8 billion (RM34.8 billion).

Sources disclosed to The Times that during the majority of the simulated scenarios, the British aircraft carriers were “easily sunk,” exposing their significant vulnerability to missile threats.

The carriers, commissioned into service in 2017 and 2019, were described as “highly susceptible to missile attacks.”

An expert of Military Science at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, was quoted in the report, stating that the rapid evolution of missile technology makes it significantly easier to detect and track these aircraft carriers.

Adding to the dilemma, the UK Ministry of Defence and Treasury are reportedly considering “decommissioning” one of the two carriers due to these issues.

Costly Pride of the Royal Navy

HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are the largest warships ever built by the UK and serve as the pride of the Royal Navy.

Each carrier can accommodate up to 1,600 crew members and deploy up to 36 F-35B fighter jets (Vertical Short Take-off and Landing), along with helicopters.

Despite their significance, the carriers have faced persistent technical and operational issues since their commissioning.

Critics have labeled their construction a wasteful expenditure, with some even suggesting that the UK government sell the carriers to allied nations due to their mechanical challenges.

In February, HMS Queen Elizabeth was scheduled to lead NATO’s Steadfast Defender exercise—the alliance’s largest since the Cold War—but had to withdraw at the last moment due to a starboard propeller malfunction.

HMS Prince of Wales was subsequently deployed in its place.

HMS Prince of Wales: A Troubled History

Despite being commissioned only five years ago, HMS Prince of Wales has endured a string of significant mechanical issues.

In 2020, the carrier was rendered inoperative at Portsmouth after water ingress in the engine room caused electrical system damage.

Within two years of commissioning, the carrier spent only 90 days at sea due to repeated leaks detected twice within five months.

In 2022, while preparing for deployment to the United States for training exercises, the carrier suffered another mechanical failure, requiring a replacement of its starboard propeller.

To expedite repairs, the Royal Navy resorted to “cannibalizing” components from HMS Queen Elizabeth and installing them on HMS Prince of Wales.

A Financial and Strategic Crossroad

Budget constraints within the UK’s defense sector have added to the carriers’ challenges. British media reports indicate that HMS Prince of Wales, weighing 65,000 tons, could be sold to allied nations at a “bargain price” to address the UK’s critical defense budget shortfalls.

According to sources within the Royal Navy, a decision on whether to decommission or sell HMS Prince of Wales could be made as early as 2028.

The Daily Mail reported that the Maritime Enterprise Planning Group, responsible for future naval strategies, has already discussed scenarios involving the sale of the carrier.

The future of HMS Prince of Wales—whether as a vital asset or a financial liability—remains uncertain as the UK faces pressing defense budget challenges. — DSA