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HMS Prince of Wales first aircraft carrier with most advanced
5th generation F-35 fighter jets committed to NATO.
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Defence Secretary and Foreign Secretary meet their Italian
counterparts on the carrier, strengthening European security
ties as part of NATO-first approach.
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Exercise Falcon Strike saw UK and Italian F-35s operating
side-by-side in powerful demonstration of NATO's strength.
The Royal Navy's powerful aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales
and her advanced fighter jets are under NATO command, the Defence
Secretary has announced.
In a first for Europe, this significant milestone sees the
Carrier Strike Group reach ‘Full Operating Capability' – with
advanced 5th generation jets, airborne surveillance, and vital
support ships to keep the UK secure at home and strong abroad,
and support European security.
The announcement comes as the Defence Secretary and Foreign
Secretary host their Italian counterparts today (Monday 17
November) aboard HMS Prince of Wales, off the coast of Naples,
during a visit to the historic maritime city.
In line with the UK's NATO-first approach, as set out in the
Strategic Defence Review, HMS Prince of Wales and her strike
group will drastically increase NATO's lethality and readiness.
The move also means that for the first time, NATO will have a
carrier strike group under its command with the most advanced
5th generation F-35 fighter jets.
Off the coast of Naples, MP and MP will host a UK-Italy
ministerial meeting with Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto
and Foreign Minister . Talks will centre on
deepening defence and security cooperation, including joint
efforts to counter hybrid warfare threats and bolster European
security in the face of Russia's illegal invasion in Ukraine.
UK F-35s have been participating in NATO Exercise Falcon
Strike, operating with Italian jets. The UK's fast jets have
completed over 1,000 sorties across their deployment this year,
enhancing the UK's warfighting readiness.
Defence Secretary MP said:
This is a proud moment for Britain. The UK is stepping up for
European security and delivering on our NATO-first plan.
I am deeply grateful for the professionalism and dedication of
all those who've worked to reach this significant moment.
We are in a new era of threat that demands a new era for defence.
Our strength comes from hard power and strong alliances, so it is
fitting to mark this moment alongside one of our closest NATO
allies in Italy. Their F-35s have been operating from the carrier
to demonstrate the deep partnership between our militaries.
Ships and aircraft from the UK's Carrier Strike Group – the
largest international carrier strike group the UK has ever
assembled – will now work with allies for the major NATO exercise
Neptune Strike.
This exercise in the Mediterranean will test NATO's ability to
strike targets at sea and includes carrier-based air missions and
amphibious landings. It will also see anti-submarine drills,
where personnel will practice for scenarios like ensuring freedom
of navigation and securing maritime chokepoints.
Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and
Development Affairs, MP said:
The partnerships we build abroad make us stronger at home.
With Italy we are developing the fighter jets of the future,
supporting thousands of British jobs, and delivering security for
NATO in the Mediterranean and across Europe.
These joint exercises in the Bay of Naples are the clearest
demonstration of how the UK is working with our Allies to keep
our continent safe, deterring our adversaries and enhancing our
ability to respond together to emerging threats.
The Carrier Strike Group's return to the Mediterranean follows
five months of operations, engagements and defence diplomacy in
the Indo-Pacific. As well as joint training and exercises with
key regional partners, including Australia, Japan, and India, the
deployment has also boosted UK economic growth supporting major
industry and trade events across the region.
During this latest stage, the Carrier Strike Group is conducting
a series of engagements with NATO allies including through port
visits to Greece, Albania, Italy and Spain.
HMS Prince of Wales has the largest ever number of 5th
generation F-35 jets from a single nation on a carrier. Over
4,000 UK military personnel, alongside Norway, NATO, and regional
partners have also played a vital role during the deployment.
Throughout, the use of logistics drones for resupplying ships has
been a major step forward in incorporating uncrewed systems on
the UK's aircraft carriers. There have been over 50 uncrewed air
landings on HMS Prince of Wales alone.
