- The UK Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales
returns to the Arctic and North Atlantic to continue operations
to protect NATO's Northern Flank.
- Phase two of Operation Firecrest, the name for the deployment
of the carrier, will focus on operational readiness, training,
and strengthening NATO interoperability
- Carrier to host Atlantic Future Forum and the International
Sea Power Conference, cementing UK role in leading Euro-Atlantic
security.
Stealth fighter jets will return to the skies in the High North
as the UK's flagship warship HMS Prince of Wales sets sail for
the Arctic and North Atlantic.
The deployment of Britain's flagship aircraft carrier alongside
our NATO allies is a powerful shield for the nation, ensuring
that the critical energy, trade, and communication links we all
rely on everyday in the region remain secure.
Accompanied by Type-45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, the carrier is
embarked with a state-of-the-art air group comprising of
fifth-generation F-35 Jets, Merlin Mk4 Commando and Mk2
Anti-submarine helicopters, Wildcat helicopters and Malloy
drones.
Over 1,200 British personnel are deployed as part of the Carrier
Strike Group, working closely with allies including Norway,
Denmark and Germany on operations designed to test and strengthen
NATO interoperability, ensuring we remain ready to respond to
global events.
Minister for the Armed Forces, MP said:
The deployment of the HMS Prince of Wales and her air wing to the
High North and the North Atlantic, operating under NATO
leadership, is a clear demonstration of the UK's commitment to
the Alliance and contribution to the enduring security and
stability of the North Atlantic.
As part of the deployment, HMS Prince of Wales will host
gatherings of military and political leaders in Oslo focused on
the collective security of Northern Europe. The Atlantic Future
Forum and the International Sea Power Conference will bring
together defence leaders, industry and policymakers to discuss
the future of Euro-Atlantic security in an increasingly dangerous
world.
HMS Prince of Wales will be joined by HMS Dauntless and the staff
of UK Carrier Strike Group, commanded by Commodore Richard
Hewitt. He said:
I am delighted to return to the Arctic and North Atlantic as we
build on the successes of the first phase of Operation Firecrest.
Led by the UK Flagship HMS Prince of Wales, the Strike Group will
bring together a range of assets and capabilities, while taking
every opportunity to train, operate and integrate with our NATO
allies and partners.
The focus of phase 2 of Operation Firecrest is maintaining
operational readiness, strengthening interoperability and
ensuring the Carrier Strike Group are prepared to respond to the
challenges of an increasingly important region.
The UK Carrier Strike Group will once again operate under NATO
command and contribute to enhanced vigilant activity including
the latest of the alliance's Neptune Strike series of exercises
which is played out on a vast scale across swathes of Europe and
the North Atlantic, in a major test of Allied land, sea and air
forces.
Wider UK forces also remain on the frontline of defending NATO
from the 800-strong UK battlegroup in Estonia, to the Typhoon
jets defending the skies over Romania, and the RAF P-8 Poseidon
and Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft patrolling the Baltic Sea.
The UK is the only European NATO member to commit its nuclear
deterrent in full to the Alliance and as confirmed in the Defence
Investment Plan, will join NATO's Dual Capable Aircraft nuclear
mission with F-35A jets.
Notes to editors
