The United Kingdom and United States have formed a powerful twin-carrier strike group in the Pacific, as HMS Prince of Wales joins USS George Washington for the record-breaking multinational Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 in Australia.
More than 3,000 British troops are participating in the largest Australian-hosted military exercise ever, with forces deployed across Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. This is the UK Carrier Strike Group’s largest engagement of Operation Highmast, a global deployment designed to reaffirm Britain’s Indo-Pacific commitments.
The exercise features over 35,000 personnel from 19 nations. For the first time, operations are also taking place in Papua New Guinea.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “The historic bonds between Britain and Australia run deep, and through AUKUS and exercises like Talisman Sabre we are strengthening these ties for the challenges of tomorrow. Our commitment to the Indo-Pacific is unwavering, as this huge military exercise demonstrates.”
Leading the UK contribution, HMS Prince of Wales joins HMS Dauntless and RFA Tidespring, while American forces bring USS George Washington, USS Robert Smalls, and USS Shoup. They are supported by HMAS Sydney, Norway’s Roald Amundsen, and Canada’s Ville de Québec.
Commodore James Blackmore, Commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group, said: “This is a real demonstration of the UK and our partners’ warfighting capabilities. Exercise Talisman Sabre is also an opportunity for the UK to develop new levels of integration between systems and capabilities with the US, Australia, and other partners.”
The UK is also showcasing advanced AUKUS technologies. British forces are leading trials of AI-enabled systems and uncrewed underwater vehicles, including remote operations of extra-large uncrewed submarines. AI algorithms are being tested for real-time target identification and engagement in a simulated combat environment.
All three UK armed services are participating. Royal Marines are working alongside a British Army Ranger battalion and RAF Voyager aircraft. Sub-sea and seabed warfare capabilities are being jointly trialled by AUKUS navies, with DSTL-led experiments advancing integration across AI and autonomy.
The UK deployment aligns with the government’s Plan for Change and its commitment to increase defence spending to 2.6% of GDP. The MOD says the £75 billion uplift will support international partnerships and cutting-edge platforms like the Carrier Strike Group.
Healey added: “We will continue to work alongside our closest allies to maintain the security and stability that underpins global prosperity.”
A rare public mention of Ranger activities!
Wonder whether an USN SSN will be assigned to CSG 25 during deployment to SCS, in lieu of a RN boat? Uncertain whether USN has any SSNs available, given present ops. tempo, SSN production shortfall, maintenance backlog, etc.🤔🤞
As far as I know there is a UK SSN with CSG25.
Jim, yes their is a SSN attached to CSG25. However, I think there are still some issues with nuclear propulsion submarines in the Aussie legal sense; so as far as I am aware the SSN at the moment is detached from the carrier group.
If I am wrong then I stand to be corrected.
Hi Ron, we are both wrong, I just read Anson just returned to Faslane so there are no UK SSN’s with CSG25 at the moment. I don’t believe there are any legal issues in Australia (NZ is an issue) as HMS Astute made a port visit to Perth on CSG 21.
Seems the RN doesn’t want one of its few SSN’s on the other side of the world which is understandable given the current state of play with Russia.
SSN’s along with QRA typhoons are probably the most important UK mainland defence assets.
Navy Lookout reported that HMS Anson just returned to Faslane, meaning there are no UK SSNs at sea at the moment.
Silly question, but I do wonder how a F35B compares to the E-2 in intel/electronic signals gathering?
The F35B can perform much of the AEW/AWACS role on its own especially with the new AN/APG 85 radar which can track multiple targets at a range of over 100 miles. It can disseminate this picture to other F35’s using the MADL which is vastly superior to link 16. The F35 can fly much higher than the E2 and travel faster and its radar is a low probability of intercept radar making it much more survivable than an E2 which probably won’t last long in any major fight.
The F35 can also carry out a full set of ELINT capabilities as well as electronic attack using its radar none of which the E2 can do.
The F35 lacks the endurance of the E2D and the E2 radar has a stated range of over 300 miles although no one knows for sure the radar r age of either platform.
Combing an F35B with an AEW very high flying MALE UAV like SeaGuaradian might give a very effective all round capability with no need for a dedicated AWACS.
It’s worth noting that most US carriers can’t operate F35 yet including the first two Ford class so the USN still very much needs E2.
Thanks Jim, that cleared that up for me. I took note of your last sentance, that most US carriers including the two new Fords can’t operate the F35 as yet. Any reason why?
To operate the F35C carriers need enhanced jet blast deflectors, changes to catapults and arrestor gear, special work stations to allow maintenance of F35 and I believe they also need JPALS installed to allow precision landing.
The navy accepted the first two Ford class without all required modifications as the ships were already massively delayed. About half the Nimitz have these installed now I believe.
America class are much further ahead with operating F35 due to the more simple nature of operating F35B like us although they are also still operating harriers as F35B procurement has been too slow.