Both the air and naval elements of the CSG have now met
this milestone, which includes qualified pilots and
ground crews being held at short notice for
carrier-based operations and trained to handle weapons
and maintain the equipment.
Another marker of success at this stage includes the
ability to deploy Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities
such as frigates and destroyers, as well as both fixed
and rotary wing aircraft including Merlin helicopters
to operate alongside the carrier.
Defence Minister said:
This is a hugely significant milestone for HMS Queen
Elizabeth, the Royal Navy and the whole country. This
achievement is a testament to the determination of
our service personnel and industry workforce who have
delivered this first-rate military capability, a
capability held by only a handful of nations. I wish
the entire Carrier Strike Group well ahead of their
first operational deployment this year.
Following the success of the NATO Joint Warrior
Exercises last autumn, the Carrier Strike Group
capability has reached the key IOC milestone for the
programme on schedule.
The multinational deployment in 2020 focussed on
incorporating all elements of the CSG with 13 of the
UK’s allies including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France,
Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain,
Turkey, Japan, UAE and the US. Exercise Joint Warrior
saw the largest number of aircraft on a British Royal
Navy carrier since 1983, as well as the most F-35B jets
at sea across the globe.
Full operating capability for the CSG is expected by
December 2023.
