The largest concentration of maritime and air power to
the UK in a generation will set sail next month, visiting more than
40 countries.
The UK Carrier Strike Group’s globe-spanning maiden deployment
will feature visits to India, Japan, Republic of Korea and
Singapore, Defence Secretary will announce.
Mr Wallace will set out to Parliament the formidable size of the
UK Carrier Strike Group, which will be led by new aircraft
carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.
On a 28-week deployment spanning 26,000 nautical miles, the
Carrier Strike Group will conduct engagements with Singapore, the
Republic of Korea, Japan and India as part of the UK’s tilt
towards the Indo-Pacific region. Units from the Carrier Strike
Group are expected to visit more than 40 countries and undertake
over 70 engagements.
Defence Secretary said:
When our Carrier Strike Group sets sail next month, it will be
flying the flag for Global Britain – projecting our influence,
signalling our power, engaging with our friends and reaffirming
our commitment to addressing the security challenges of today
and tomorrow.
The entire nation can be proud of the dedicated men and women
who for more than six months will demonstrate to the world that
the UK is not stepping back but sailing forth to play an active
role in shaping the international system of the 21st Century.
HMS Queen Elizabeth, the most powerful surface vessel in the
Royal Navy’s history, will next month set sail as the flagship of
a Carrier Strike Group. Joining her will be a surface fleet of
Type 45 destroyers, HMS Defender and HMS Diamond, Type 23
anti-submarine frigates HMS Kent and HMS Richmond, and the Royal
Fleet Auxiliary’s RFA Fort Victoria and RFA Tidespring.
Deep below the surface, a Royal Navy Astute-class submarine will
be deployed in support, armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Providing a cutting edge on the carrier’s flight deck will be
eight state-of-the-art RAF F-35B Lightning II fast jets.
Alongside will be four Wildcat maritime attack helicopters, seven
Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine helicopters and three Merlin Mk4
commando helicopters – the greatest quantity of helicopters
assigned to a single UK Task Group in a decade.
And supporting below deck will be a company of Royal Marines
Commandos.
A US Navy destroyer, a frigate from the Netherlands and a
squadron of US Marine Corps F-35B jets are also fully integrated.
Indo-Pacific tilt
CSG21 will be a truly global deployment, from the North Atlantic
to the Indo-Pacific. In Parliament, the Defence Secretary will
explain how it will help achieve the UK’s goal for deeper
engagement in the Indo-Pacific region in support of shared
prosperity and regional stability – a stated aim of the
Government’s recently published Integrated Review into foreign,
defence, security and development policy.
The forthcoming deployment will bolster already deep defence
partnerships in the region, where the UK is committed to a more
enduring regional defence and security presence. Ships from the
Carrier Strike Group will participate in Exercise Bersama Lima to
mark the 50th anniversary of the Five Powers Defence Agreement
between Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the
United Kingdom.
Engagements in Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Japan and India
will provide the opportunity for strengthening our security
relationships, tightening political ties and supporting our UK
exports and International Trade agenda.
Sailing alongside Allies and partners
The Carrier deployment will take integration with NATO allies and
other global Allies to a new level.
At the forefront will be the US and the Netherlands. Sailing as
part of the Group and providing it with air defence and
anti-submarine capabilities will be the Arleigh Burke-class
destroyer USS THE SULLIVANS. Flying alongside their UK
counterparts will be a squadron of 10 US Marine Corps F-35B
Lightning II aircraft. Providing further air defence will be the
Royal Netherlands Navy’s frigate HNLMS Evertsen.
On the Mediterranean leg of the deployment, another close NATO
Ally will provide a period of dual carrier operations when French
Aircraft Carrier Charles De Gaulle sails alongside HMS Queen
Elizabeth.
Elsewhere air and maritime forces from Australia, Canada,
Denmark, Greece, Israel, India, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Oman,
the Republic of Korea, Turkey and the UAE will operate alongside
the Carrier Strike Group.
Units from the group visit more than 40 countries and undertake
in excess of 70 engagements, visits, air exercises and
operations.
Leading in NATO
The UK Carrier Strike Group will be NATO’s first 5th generation
Carrier Strike Group, underlining the UK’s leading role in the
Alliance.
CSG21 will participate in NATO exercises such as Exercise
Steadfast Defender, and provide support to NATO Operation Sea
Guardian and maritime security operations in the Black Sea.