Faulty Navy flagship pulls out of historic Nato drill as MPs warn UK’s ‘hollowed out army unfit for war’
The departure of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth to lead the largest Nato exercise since the Cold War has been cancelled at the last minute after an “issue” with a propeller shaft was spotted during final checks.
The setback comes 18 months after sister ship HMS Prince of Wales broke down off the Isle of Wight after it sailed for the US having suffered a malfunction with a coupling on its starboard propeller.
It will now be on the major exercises which will involve more than 40 vessels.
