HMS Prince of Wales in Reykjavík Harbor

On Monday, the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales came to harbor in Reykjavík after participating in the defense exercise Cold Response in Norway, mbl.is reports. It came to get supplies here before its next defense exercise, which, like the previous one, is to take place in Arctic regions.

Speaking to mbl.is on board the ship, Shaun Riordan, the vessel’s commander weapons engineer, states that as members of NATO and the JEF (Joint Expeditionary Force), the British see Icelanders as their friends and allies. He states it’s a great pleasure to bring the aircraft carrier here as a symbol of the two countries’ cooperation and their strong ties.

When asked if the presence of the Royal Navy is in any way tied to the war in Ukraine, Riordan responds that the military activity has served to drive European nations closer together and showed the importance of defensive alliances, particularly in Europe and the North Atlantic.

Alliances such as NATO and JEF are vehicles we can use to show our solidarity, he states, so that we won’t be intimidated and will continue to operate in the High North and in the Arctic and demonstrate our freedom of navigation in these areas. He adds that the Prince of Wales is always ready to respond to any crisis to which NATO wishes to send it.

The ship’s upcoming defense exercise will take place under demanding winter conditions, where training troops is to continue, as well as testing of the equipment on board.

You can watch the entire interview above.