# British aircraft carrier in Oslo

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/british-aircraft-carrier-visits-oslo-after-nordic-exercise
- Published: 2026-11-11
- Author: Jacob Wollheim
- Type: News · Section: Maritime · Country: norway
- Language: en — machine translation from sv; the sv version is authoritative: https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/british-aircraft-carrier-visits-oslo-after-nordic-exercise.md
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/british-aircraft-carrier-visits-oslo-after-nordic-exercise.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/british-aircraft-carrier-visits-oslo-after-nordic-exercise.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/british-aircraft-carrier-visits-oslo-after-nordic-exercise.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/british-aircraft-carrier-visits-oslo-after-nordic-exercise.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/british-aircraft-carrier-visits-oslo-after-nordic-exercise.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/british-aircraft-carrier-visits-oslo-after-nordic-exercise.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/british-aircraft-carrier-visits-oslo-after-nordic-exercise.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/british-aircraft-carrier-visits-oslo-after-nordic-exercise.md)
- Primary source: https://www.forsvaret.no/aktuelt-og-presse/presse/pressemeldinger/britisk-hangarskip-med-havnebesok-i-oslo
- Tags: hms prince of wales, royal navy, british armed forces, f-35b, f-35a, hms dauntless, knm fridtjof nansen, kv nornen, operation firecrest, neptune strike 26-4, nato, norwegian armed forces

> The aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales arrives in Oslo (Norway) on Saturday after an exercise in Norwegian waters, escorted by Norwegian and British vessels.

![HMS Prince of Wales docks in Oslo](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/3addb47d-2d26-46dd-c445-8d5d1a044400/public)
*HMS Prince of Wales docks in Oslo · Helene Synes / Forsvaret*

**The British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is visiting Oslo, Norway, following a period of exercises together with Norwegian and other allied forces. During the port visit, the ship is hosting two international conferences on security in the North Atlantic and northern Europe.**

HMS Prince of Wales has taken part in the British operation Firecrest and NATO's exercise Neptune Strike 26-4. According to the [Royal Navy](https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2026/november/06/20261106-hms-prince-of-wales-heads-to-oslo), the latter exercise involved 17 countries, 20 warships and 40 aircraft, divided between three naval task groups in the Mediterranean and off the coast of Norway.

During the exercise period, British F-35B and Norwegian F-35A aircraft carried out joint flying operations with a US B-52 bomber. British F-35B aircraft also carried out a mission to identify and track a Russian long-range bomber.

The Royal Navy also states that HMS Prince of Wales replenished ammunition in a foreign port for the first time. The replenishment took place at Hammernesodden near Namsos (central Norway) and formed part of efforts to develop the carrier strike group's ability to operate without dedicated support vessels for ammunition supply.

During the visit to Oslo, the aircraft carrier is being escorted by the British destroyer HMS Dauntless, the Norwegian frigate KNM Fridtjof Nansen and the coast guard vessel KV Nornen. The [Norwegian Armed Forces](https://www.forsvaret.no/aktuelt-og-presse/presse/pressemeldinger/britisk-hangarskip-med-havnebesok-i-oslo) announced that the originally planned arrival on 6 November was postponed to the following day due to poor visibility.

Aboard HMS Prince of Wales, the *Atlantic Future Forum* and the *International Sea Power Conference* are being held, at which military and political representatives will discuss security in northern Europe. The Norwegian Home Guard (Heimevernet) and Navy are responsible for parts of the security arrangements during the port visit.

![HMS Prince of Wales docks in Oslo](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/3f211152-07c8-4408-4fd8-e68162bd8000/public)
*HMS Prince of Wales docks in Oslo*

## FAQ

**When did HMS Prince of Wales arrive in Oslo and why was the approach delayed?**

HMS Prince of Wales was originally scheduled to arrive in Oslo on Thursday, 5 November 2026, but the approach was postponed to Saturday morning due to poor visibility. The ship finally sailed into Oslo on Friday, 6 November. The visit follows a period of joint exercises in Norwegian waters. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-11.

**Which vessels escorted HMS Prince of Wales into Oslo?**

The ship was escorted by the British destroyer HMS Dauntless, the Norwegian frigate KNM Fridtjof Nansen and the Norwegian coastguard vessel KV Nornen. The escort took place in connection with the approach to Oslo on Friday, 6 November. Norwegian Home Guard and naval personnel are also providing force protection at the quayside. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-11.

**What is Operation Firecrest and what equipment does the aircraft carrier carry?**

According to the Norwegian Armed Forces, Operation Firecrest focuses on operational readiness, training and strengthened Nato cooperation. The aircraft carrier carries fifth-generation F-35 fighter aircraft, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, and Malloy drones. Over 1,200 British military personnel are taking part, and the force is working together with Norway, Denmark and Germany under Nato command. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-11.

**What restrictions apply in the Oslofjord during the aircraft carrier's visit?**

Parts of Festningskaia at Akershus Fortress will be closed from 5 November, and military exclusion zones will be established during the approach. An air restriction zone applies within one nautical mile of military vessels up to 3,000 feet, where aircraft and drones are prohibited. Boat operators are also required to keep a distance of at least one nautical mile from the aircraft carrier. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-11.

**Why is the British aircraft carrier visiting Oslo, according to the Norwegian Armed Forces?**

Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, Chief of the Norwegian Armed Forces' Operational Headquarters, states that aircraft carrier operations along the Norwegian coast are important for a credible defence of Norway and Nato. The visit also coincides with the Atlantic Future Forum and the International Sea Power Conference held on board the ship. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-11.

---
Nordic Defence Sector — independent newsroom covering the Nordic defence sector. When citing, attribute "Nordic Defence Sector" and link https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/british-aircraft-carrier-visits-oslo-after-nordic-exercise. Site guide: https://nordicdefencesector.com/llms.txt