British Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis visits Iceland as NATO launches air‑defence from HMS Prince of Wales

British Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis travelled to Iceland to inspect UK forces deployed on the Royal Navy carrier HMS Prince of Wales, which is operating under NATO command in the North Atlantic. The carrier’s F‑35 jets carried out NATO’s first air‑defence missions from a European‑based carrier, marking a new capability for the alliance.

During the deployment the carrier strike group was approached by a Russian Tu‑142 “Bear‑F” maritime patrol aircraft in the Norwegian Sea. The Russian plane flew at low altitude, released several sonobuoys and was intercepted by two carrier‑based F‑35s, which escorted it away. Jarvis warned that “the threat from Russia exists in every domain – under water, on water, on land, in the sky, in space and in cyberspace”. He also reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to spend 3.5 % of GDP on defence by 2035 and highlighted the new UK command of NATO’s high‑readiness Special Operations Component.

Icelandic Foreign Minister Þórgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir welcomed the visit, noting Iceland’s vital support for NATO’s deterrence in the North Atlantic and Arctic region.