HMS Prince of Wales Aircraft Carrier Build
Rosyth Dockyard, Fife, Scotland, UK (final assembly) · 2011–2017 (assembly), 2019 (commissioned) · £3.5bn (unit cost), part of overall £6.2bn (for two carriers, 2014 estimate) or £7bn (2008 contract for both QE-class units)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe modular construction approach, similar to HMS Queen Elizabeth, was employed to distribute work and expertise across the UK. - The project has faced challenges with reliability and technical issues, leading to periods of maintenance and repair, highlighting the complexities of operating cutting-edge naval technology. - Despite challenges, HMS Prince of Wales represents a significant enhancement to the Royal Navy's global operational capabilities. - The experience gained from building and operating both Queen Elizabeth-class carriers informs future naval procurement and maintenance strategies.
Key engineering challenges
Managing the complex assembly of pre-fabricated sections from various shipyards across the UK at Rosyth. - Integrating advanced propulsion, power generation, and aircraft handling systems. - Overcoming technical issues and mechanical failures (e.g., leaks, propeller shaft issues) during construction and early operational life. - Ensuring the structural integrity and operational readiness of one of the most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Royal Navy, Ministry of Defence
- Lead contractor
- Aircraft Carrier Alliance (a partnership between BAE Systems, Babcock, Thales, and the Ministry of Defence)
- Lead designers
- BAE Systems, Thales
- Project type
- new build (vessel/fleet programme)
- Scale
- 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier; 280m long, 70m wide flight deck; capable of carrying up to 36 F-35B Lightning II stealth jets.
- Disciplines
- Naval Architecture; Marine Engineering; Systems Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Defence Engineering; Shipbuilding
- Standards & frameworks
- Royal Navy standards, UK Ministry of Defence procurement regulations, international shipbuilding standards.
Sources: Wikipedia: HMS Prince of Wales (R09) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Prince_of_Wales_(R09)) - BAE Systems: Assembly begins on HMS Prince of Wales (https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/assembly-begins-on-hms-prince-of-wales) - Royal Navy: HMS Prince of Wales (R09) (https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/organisation/units-and-squadrons/aircraft-carriers/hms-prince-of-wales) - CruiseMapper: HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier Ship Review (https://www.cruisemapper.com/ships/HMS-Prince-of-Wales-aircraft-carrier-1434) - The Guardian: MoD reports 'minor technical issue' with aircraft carrier... (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/06/mod-reports-minor-technical-issue-aircraft-carrier-norway)