- Ships and personnel to participate in major NATO exercises
after five months in Indo-Pacific.
- Deployment reinforces UK commitment to European security and
NATO leadership.
- Italian-led Exercise ‘Falcon Strike' will see cutting edge UK
and Italian F-35s operating side-by-side.
The UK Carrier Strike Group will strengthen NATO security through
major exercises in the Mediterranean following five months in the
Indo-Pacific region. Defence Minister and Minister for Europe,
North America and Overseas Territories, , welcomed the ships and
crews as they return to European waters.
Training side by side with the Italian, US and Greek Air Force –
the UK's most advanced F-35 fighter jets will take part in day
and night training scenarios, strengthening NATO's air
capabilities, deterring our adversaries and boosting the
alliance's security.
The Carrier Strike Group returned to the Mediterranean via the
Red Sea and the Suez Canal. This followed five months of
operations in the Indo-Pacific, including support to UK economic
growth with major defence industry and trade showcases across the
region.
HMS Prince of Wales leads the deployment, which included up to
4,000 UK military personnel alongside Norway, NATO, and regional
partners.
Minister for the Armed Forces, , said:
"Spending six months away from home, on the far side of the
world, ready at a moment's notice to defend your life and the
lives of your fellow shipmates – is a big ask for anyone.
“But visiting HMS Prince of Wales at NATO facilities in Crete,
and meeting just some of the 4,000 personnel supporting this
mammoth deployment, I saw the unique bond shared between members
of our Navy and Armed Forces in action – the determination and
dedication they bring to an extraordinary job.
“Deployments like this, which see us training alongside NATO
allies and expanding our defence relations around the world, are
critical to boosting our national security – keeping us secure at
home and strong abroad.”
Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas
Territories, , said:
“The Carrier Strike Group's work with European partners is a
clear signal to allies and adversaries alike of our commitment to
a safer, more secure region.
“I am particularly proud of the work of our armed forces
personnel building the crucial capabilities and relationships
that underpin our NATO alliance on sea, air and land – and it was
a pleasure to meet them.
“Our own security at home, and that of Europe as a whole, depends
on European and transatlantic cooperation between friends and
allies, with the UK leading from the front in this deployment.”
The Carrier Strike Group will now participate in Exercise Falcon
Strike, a large-scale air and maritime exercise where the UK will
integrate air and maritime forces in the Italian-led exercise,
whilst working in support of NATO.
The deployment demonstrates the government's Plan for Change
commitment to make Britain secure at home and strong abroad.
National security provides the foundation for economic growth,
protecting vital trade routes and supporting thousands of British
jobs in defence manufacturing and innovation.
During this phase, the Carrier Strike Group will conduct a series
of engagements with NATO and EU countries, through port visits to
Greece, Albania, Italy and Spain. This includes defence and
foreign policy engagement to deepen bilateral partnerships and
defence industrial collaboration.
It comes as the Minister for the Armed Forces met with personnel
during a visit to Crete, where HMS Prince of Wales stopped to
refuel at the NATO facility at Souda Bay.
Commodore James Blackmore, Commander of the Carrier
Strike Group, said:
“It is fantastic to be back in the Mediterranean after a hugely
successful period in the Indo-Pacific and a transit of the Red
Sea. The upcoming exercises with NATO allies will be a real
demonstration of the warfighting readiness of the UK Carrier
Strike Group.
“The eight-month deployment covers over 26,000 nautical miles and
engages with 40 nations, reinforcing the UK's position as a
leading European power delivering fifth-generation aircraft and
carrier capabilities assigned as a primary contribution to
NATO.”
