Royal Navy launches major 2025 Indo-Pacific deployment with HMS Prince of Wales
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HMS Prince of Wales will leave Portsmouth today, heading out on an
eight-month mission across the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating the
Government's pledge to invest in British defence and keep the
country safe, a foundation of its Plan for Change. The Carrier
Strike Group provides reassurance and security with allies and
partners deterring those who seek to undermine global security –
making us secure at home and strong abroad. The Indo-Pacific is a
critical region for UK...Request free
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HMS Prince of Wales will leave Portsmouth today, heading out on an eight-month mission across the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating the Government's pledge to invest in British defence and keep the country safe, a foundation of its Plan for Change. The Carrier Strike Group provides reassurance and security with allies and partners deterring those who seek to undermine global security – making us secure at home and strong abroad. The Indo-Pacific is a critical region for UK trade, with imports and exports in the region worth £286 billion – almost 20% of all UK trade. The deployment will provide a chance for UK companies to take part in trade events during port visits. This mission, known as Operation Highmast, is the second deployment of the UK's Carrier Strike Group – the first led by HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2021, and will be commanded by Commodore James Blackmore. The deployment will begin with around 2,500 military personnel – roughly 2,100 Britons, 200 Norwegians and a similar number of Canadians, and Spanish – rising to over 4,500 for some of the key exercises as the force reaches the Indo-Pacific. Between now and December, the Carrier Strike Group will conduct a series of exercises and operations with air, sea and land forces of a dozen allies in the Mediterranean, Middle East, South-east Asia, Japan and Australia. The Carrier Strike Group will immediately work for NATO and the first workout for the strike group is an exercise off France testing aerial defences before the force moves into the Mediterranean to work with an Italian-led carrier force, then heads east of Suez via the Red Sea.
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said: “As one of only a few nations capable of leading a deployment of this scale, the Royal Navy is once again demonstrating that UK defence is strong, modern, and ready to meet the threats of today and tomorrow.” Thousands of people – friends, family and well-wishers – are expected to line Portsmouth's historic waterfront to bid farewell to hundreds of loved ones, whom they will not see again in many cases for more than 220 days. Commodore James Blackmore said: “I am delighted to lead the UK Carrier Strike Group encompassing Sailors, Marine, Soldiers and Aviators from across the UK and allied armed forces. “Working closely with partners from across the globe, Operation Highmast will demonstrate credible deterrence and our support to NATO and the rules-based international order. “This will reaffirm that the UK is secure at home and strong abroad and reinforce the UK's commitment to the Indo-Pacific.”
HMS Prince of Wales will be accompanied by:
The Canadians have been training more than a year for their part in the deployment – the first to the Indo-Pacific in the 30-plus-year career of the Ville de Québec. Her Commanding Officer Commander Peter MacNeil RCN describe the mission as an “incredible deployment”. He added: “The crew has worked incredibly hard to get the ship ready and to represent Canada and the Royal Canadian Navy globally – with some of the absolute finest people Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces has to offer.” In the first few days after sailing the group will embark a potent combination of F-35B fifth-generation strike fighters and squadrons of attack, troop-carrying and anti-submarine helicopters. Group Captain John Butcher, in command of the UK Lightning Force, said deploying both front-line F-35B squadrons on the deployment demonstrated that the fifth-generation fighter had truly come of age. “This is an important milestone – the deployment of two squadrons to different locations in the world on land or at sea and to deliver air effect, which will provide more options in contested environments.” “We're international by design on Operation Highmast and will be operating with allies and partners, with a key focus on NATO as we operate in Europe and having a real role to play in the Indo-Pacific.” “This is an important milestone, after years of effort and it will be the realisation of us deploying two squadrons to different locations in the world on land or at sea and to deliver air effect. “Fifth generation air power is important for us to be able to control the air in a contested environment and by having two squadrons capable of delivering this it provides more options. “We're international by design on Operation Highmast and will be operating with key allies and partners, with a key focus on NATO as we operate in Europe and having a real role to play in the Indo-Pacific with key allies and partners.” The ships have undergone extensive training in preparation and will now begin to combine their individual skills, systems and weaponry, making the carrier strike group one of the most powerful naval forces on the planet. “I am incredibly proud of my team, and the broader support enterprise, who have worked tirelessly to prepare for this historic deployment,” said Captain Will Blackett, Commanding Officer of flagship HMS Prince of Wales. “I would also like to recognise our families and friends, who have endured the hard work with us, and now face the challenges of separation. We will deliver this mission together and look forward to reuniting when the job is done.” The Carrier Strike Group will immediately work for NATO and the first workout for the strike group is an exercise off France testing aerial defences before the force moves into the Mediterranean to work with an Italian-led carrier force, then heads east of Suez via the Red Sea.
The task group changes composition with different Royal Navy and
international assets joining/departing throughout the
mission.
HMS Prince of Wales (Queen Elizabeth-class flagship, based in
Portsmouth)
Aerial assets:
Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine helicopters from RNAS Culdrose embarked
on HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Richmond:
Merlin Mk4 Commando helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton embarked on
HMS Prince of Wales:
Wildcat HMA from RNAS Yeovilton embarked on HMS Dauntless and
HNoMS Roald Amundsen:
T-150 Malloy and Puma drones from RNAS Culdrose embarked on HMS
Prince of Wales: |