HMS Queen Elizabeth Sidelined for Major NATO Exercise Due to Propeller Issue

The Royal Navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth will not participate in the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War, replaced by HMS Prince of Wales after a propeller shaft problem.

The HMS Queen Elizabeth was set to lead the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War but was sidelined due to a propeller shaft issue discovered during final checks.
HMS Prince of Wales will replace HMS Queen Elizabeth in leading the NATO exercise Steadfast Defender off Norway's Arctic coast.
The propeller shaft issue on HMS Queen Elizabeth is separate and not linked to a similar problem that previously affected its sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales.
The change of plans may affect the Royal Navy's ability to deploy an aircraft carrier to the Red Sea amid ongoing threats by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The Royal Navy faces challenges as this incident follows a recent collision between two warships in a harbor in Bahrain, causing damage but no injuries.