First time in a war zone since the Falklands

Co-ordinated defence operation will protect HMS Prince of Wales

- By Marco Giannangeli DEFENCE EDITOR

A CAREFULLY co-ordinated defence plan has been drawn up to protect HMS Prince of Wales as it prepares to become the first UK aircraft carrier to enter a war zone since the Falklands.

And the Carrier Task Group won’t be relying purely on its own muscle, with RAF Typhoons and UK Special Forces among those shielding it through the hostile waters of the Red Sea.

It comes as Iran-backed Houthi rebels continue to target US carriers in the region, with drone attacks against the USS Carl Vinson and escorting warships in the Arabian Sea, part of a broader escalation against Israel and its Western supporters.

The British deployment is part of Operation Highmast, an eight-month mission demonstrating UK naval reach from the Med to the Pacific Rim.