The future of Britain’s second aircraft carrier is under threat due to funding issues, naval sources have claimed.
Senior figures have spoken out after it emerged next week’s Budget will not include any significant rise in defence spending.
They fear HMS Prince of Wales, which cost £3.5billion to build, could be mothballed or sold for a knockdown price to a friendly nation, over the fleet’s flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth.
The possible move – branded an ‘HS2 moment’ for the Royal Navy – would probably be divisive.
But the decision could be forced upon commanders as soon as 2028 if the state of defence finances does not improve.