In Portsmouth Harbour, the mighty bulk of HMS Prince of Wales sits poised to lead the most significant British naval deployment of the century. It is a ship with presence, but it is more than just steel and stealth—it is a message.
That message, according to her captain, is unambiguous. “You see this thing and you realise that we mean business,” said Captain Will Blackett RN, surveying the vast flight deck of the Royal Navy’s flagship. “We’re capable of doing whatever is required.”
Operation HIGHMAST will take the UK Carrier Strike Group on an eight-month mission from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It is more than a voyage; it is a signal.
The deployment is commanded by Commodore James Blackmore RN and begins with an aerial warfare exercise off the French coast before proceeding to integrate with an Italian-led carrier group in the Mediterranean. The group will then sail east of Suez through the Red Sea, conducting operations alongside allies in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the Indo-Pacific.
“It’s a global deployment,” Commodore Blackmore explained during a press briefing aboard the carrier. “International by design, encompassing 13 different nations… and we’ll operate with over 40.”
The task group begins its journey with 2,500 personnel, rising to more than 4,500 at its peak. Among them are sailors, aviators, marines, and soldiers from the UK, Canada, Norway, Spain, and other allied nations. HMS Dauntless, HMS Richmond, RFA Tidespring, Canada’s HMCS Ville de Québec, and Norwegian vessels HNoMS Roald Amundsen and HNoMS Maud join the carrier in the Channel. Throughout the deployment, vessels from France, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Australia and more will join for specific exercises and patrols.
Air power is at the centre of this deployment. HMS Prince of Wales will embark F-35B stealth fighters from 617 Squadron and 809 NAS, Merlin Mk2 helicopters for anti-submarine warfare, Merlin Mk4s for Commando lift, Wildcats, and advanced uncrewed drones from 700X NAS. “This is a potent capability,” Captain Blackett said. “We can conduct wide-ranging tasking, from the top-end combat operations all the way through to softer power, defence engagement. We are ready to do any of those things.”
Blackett was clear that the ship’s presence carries diplomatic weight: reassurance to allies, a deterrent to adversaries. “Whether they come for good or bad reasons, anyone who meets this ship should understand what it represents.”
But beneath the steel and symbolism is a human story. “My job is to ensure that this fantastic machine, and the people that run her, are ready to deliver,” Blackett said. With more than 1,600 personnel aboard, it’s a massive logistical and emotional undertaking.
Earlier in the year, the carrier visited Liverpool, offering a final moment with family for many on board. “That was excitement,” said Blackett. “Now it’s added up to: here we go. We’re not coming home until just before Christmas.”
That emotional weight is not lost on the ship’s company. “It’s a jumble of emotion,” Blackett admitted. “Sadness, anticipation… but also excitement. I joined the Navy to do this. It’s incredibly satisfying.”
The pride in his voice was unmistakable. “How does it feel to stand on board the largest flight deck we’ve ever operated in this Navy? It’s impressive, isn’t it? That feeling—that’s the one I hope to inspire.*”
This is not just a deployment. It is a statement.
And Britain, through HMS Prince of Wales and the Carrier Strike Group she leads, is making that statement loud and clear.
We mean business.
Hi guys…Can anyone recommend a website/app, so i can follow HMS POW on her deployment to the indo/pacific? Thanks, Charlie.
Is that correct? The only Royal Navy escorts are HMS Dauntless and HMS Richmond??
It is yes. It isn’t unusual for a US Navy carrier group to operate with two ABs though and we have friends along for the journey.
Also 18 F35Bs to start, going up to 24 during the deployment.
Yes, it’s been planed like that for some time so Canada, Spain and Norway get in the game. This is part of a long term UK effort to have non US NATO members project power into the Indo pacific which is also why we have seen Italy and France send out assets in the years we are no there.
Last time it was the Dutch.
Well that’s one way to spin it.
Appears so…. I think Last time we managed 2 type 45’s and 2 type 23’s… I suppose this is what happens when the politicians delay/reduce and prevaricate about ordering new build ships… At least we have a host of friends who will either be permanently attached to the carrier for the deployment or will join in at various stages…
Unfortunately yes. There might be an astute, as there was last time, but they’ve been a bit ambiguous on that this time. Potentially down from 5 RN escorts in 2021 (although one of the T45s faded), to possibly just 2 this time. Not to mention only one RFA vs 2 last time.
A sign of how bad things have become.
There was only four UK escorts last time one of the T45 didn’t make it all the way and was dispatched on several side missions (Blck Sea) as was HMS Astute (Australia)
US carriers don’t travel around with Burkes and Ticos in toe at all times either. Outside of contested waters until recently it was rare for a US carrier to have more than a single cruiser in close escort with several destroyers carrying out various tasking by and along its route.
Last time they didn’t announce anything about HMS Asute because she spent several weeks lying in wait in the south China sea for the Three type 93 SSN, trying to get a jump ahead of the task force. All three Type 93’s had their acoustic signatures recorded in great detail.
Also Astute, I believe
And another three frigates from Canada, Spain & Norway. You would think the RN could have mustered another T45 and T23 for escorts?!?!
Plus an Astute.
Yes,likely with an Astute class Sub ( HMS Astute ) lurking in the general vicinity.
Is it correctly understood that until the block IV software package, the “strike” element of the F35B fleet will be Paveway bombs?
Yes. The next UK weapons to be integrated would be Spear and Meteor. AMRAAM D provides a similar capability to Meteor anyway, although some may dispute this.
Not sure if there are any firm plans to integrate Storm Shadow or Brimstone (which will be largely replaced by Spear in time I believe).
Would be great to get an anti-radiation missile and anti-ship missile integrated too, but my understanding is that specific missiles for those tasks are less necessary these days than in the past.
F35B is more limited than other variants by the smaller inernal weapons bay, but I believe most larger ordinance can be carried on external wing mounts if need be, although that obviously sacrifices some of the stealth capabilities.
One carrier, one T45, one T23, one RFA, and whatever we can ponce from allies.
Yes, we mean business…..🤔
Lets be honest, the carrier group is a facade and a spectacle. Our enemies know how weak we are and if things kicked off in Taiwan whilst we were there we’ll be well advised to stay well clear – especially with the unpredictability of Trump. But I wouldn’t be surprised if we did a few sorties near Yemen on route.
As long as she does not break down, loose an aircraft over board, or the type 45 breaks down due to warm water. Other wise its nice to see a British carrier escorted by other nations as we do not have enough ships. Oh no i will be shouted at by rosed tinned lot for not being more positive.
US and French carriers regularly have RN warships in their escort groups👍
Dauntless has had PIP and so hopefully problem sorted.
Yep.. there was speculation a third may join for the Red Sea transit….but
The depressing message being ‘This is all we can spare or rustle up’, the positive being ‘look at all our ‘friends”. The assumption is made that nothing will occur in their absence that will lead to them being missed.
La fragata española Mendez Núñez se unirá en el Indo Pacifico pero no creo que pase por el estrecho de Taiwan
That must be the largest operational crew for any ship since the old HMS Ark Royal. At least now they have aircon. My old man was in a fleet carrier in the Pacific Fleet. He said it was really overcrowded conditions. No aircon, although she was a virtually new ship and less than half the size of POW. The good news was they had a Brewery vessel in the fleet!