Final preparations are underway for a multinational deployment,
led by the Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales, reaffirming
the UK's commitment to the security of the Mediterranean and
Indo-Pacific, while providing an opportunity to promote British
trade and industry.
Aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is scheduled to sail from
Portsmouth on 22 April, where it will proceed to join a formation
of warships, supply ships, and aircraft off the coast of
Cornwall, before departing for the Mediterranean where it will
conduct exercises to reinforce European security.
Around 2,500 personnel from the Royal Navy and 592 from the Royal
Air Force will be involved in the eight-month deployment, which
will see the group sail through the Indian Ocean to conduct
exercises and port visits with partners including the US, India,
Singapore, and Malaysia. They will be joined by around 900
personnel from the British Army for exercises during the
deployment.
The deployment, named Operation Highmast, provides an opportunity
for the UK's Armed Forces to conduct a major global deployment
and a chance to exercise complex operations alongside partners
and allies in the region, with 12 other nations supporting the
deployment with ships or personnel.
The Indo-Pacific is a critical region for UK trade, with imports
and exports in the region worth billions of pounds for the UK
economy, and the deployment will provide a chance for UK
companies to take part in trade events during port visits.
Trade between the UK and Indo-Pacific accounted for 17% of total
trade between the UK and all trading partners in the 12 months to
September 2024, with the total amount traded in goods and
services between the UK and Indo-Pacific standing at £286 billion
in the same period.
As the biggest class of ship in the Royal Navy, the flight decks
of HMS Prince of Wales and her sister ship are roughly the size
of three football pitches and defended by advanced weapons. A
maritime strike force of this size is composed of multiple types
of ship, frigates, destroyers, submarines, and supply ships to
support logistics.
Defence Secretary, MP, said:
“I want to thank the thousands of our Armed Forces personnel
involved in the delivery of this immensely complex operation,
demonstrating the UK's world-leading capability to deploy a major
military force around the world.
“This is a unique opportunity for the UK to operate in close
coordination with our partners and allies in a deployment that
not only shows our commitment to security and stability, but also
provides an opportunity to bolster our own economy and boost
British trade and exports.
“As one of only a handful of countries in the world able to lead
a deployment of this scale, the Royal Navy is once again
demonstrating its formidable capability while protecting British
values and sending a powerful message of deterrence to any
adversary.”
Of the 12 other nations supporting the deployment, Norway will
provide a warship to support the carrier strike group for the
entire duration of the deployment. Canada and Spain are among the
other nations providing support to the deployment.
After its compliment of up to 24 Royal Air Force F-35B Lighting
fighter jets is embarked on board HMS Prince of Wales, and the
departure for the Mediterranean, the group will initially be
placed under NATO command as it joins Exercise Neptune Strike –
testing the Alliance's ability to use high-end maritime strike
capabilities, including multiple aircraft carrier and amphibious
strike groups.
The group will transit though the Indian Ocean, conducting
exercises and port visits with partners including the US, India,
Singapore and Malaysia, before joining 19 partner nations for
Exercise Talisman Sabre near Australia, and then training
alongside the Japanese Self Defence Forces and conducting a port
visit to India.
Minister for the Armed Forces, MP, said:
“Through this deployment of our Carrier Strike Group and 4,000
Service Personnel, we will stand firm with our allies against
those who challenge the international order. Reminding the world
that the security of the Euro Atlantic and Indo-Pacific are
fundamentally indivisible.
“This isn't just about hard power; it's about building influence
and opening new trade opportunities both for defence and other
sectors of our economy which will deliver British jobs and
growth.”
This deployment follows the Prime Minister's historic commitment
to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, demonstrating this
Government's commitment to keep the UK secure at home and strong
abroad.
Following the inaugural deployment in 2021, the Carrier Strike
Group 2025 highlights the strength of the UK's leadership in
seeking to uphold stability in the Indo-Pacific. This has been
bolstered by the Royal Navy's persistent presence in the region
through HMS Spey and HMS Tamar, as well as the landmark Global
Combat Air Programme collaboration.
Keeping the country safe is the Government's first priority and
is the foundation of its Plan for Change. The strength,
capability and global reach of the Royal Navy, British Army and
Royal Air Force, demonstrated through Operation Highmast, is
critical to the security and stability of the UK, supporting the
delivery of the Government's five missions.
