The Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales has reached full operating capability and is now under NATO command, the UK Defence Journal understands.
The move marks the first time a European carrier strike group equipped with fifth generation jets has been committed to the alliance, according to the Ministry of Defence.
HMS Prince of Wales, operating off Naples, is hosting both Defence Secretary John Healey and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper as they meet their Italian counterparts aboard the carrier. The UK says the milestone reflects a NATO-first posture in defence planning and a renewed focus on European security.
Healey called it “a proud moment for Britain” and said the UK is “stepping up for European security and delivering on our NATO-first plan.” He added that the carrier strike group’s new status comes at a time when “we are in a new era of threat that demands a new era for defence.”
The MOD says the carrier group now provides NATO with a fully integrated force featuring F-35B jets, airborne surveillance assets and supporting warships. The UK characterises the combined capability as enhancing the alliance’s readiness and combat power, with Healey arguing that “our strength comes from hard power and strong alliances.”
Cooper framed the shift in terms of wider partnerships, saying “the partnerships we build abroad make us stronger at home.” She highlighted joint UK–Italian activity, including work on next-generation fighter development and combined F-35 operations. According to the government, UK fast jets have flown more than 1,000 sorties during this year’s deployment.
The Italian visit follows the carrier group’s extended Indo-Pacific deployment, where it undertook exercises with Australia, Japan and India. In the Mediterranean, the group will now integrate into NATO’s Neptune Strike exercise, which includes sea strike missions, amphibious drills and anti-submarine operations.
The MOD says the carrier currently embarks the largest number of UK-owned fifth generation jets ever placed on a single vessel. The deployment has also seen more than 50 uncrewed logistics flights land on the carrier, which the government presents as a step forward in integrating drones into routine naval operations.
The strike group will continue port engagements across southern Europe while preparing for NATO tasking through the winter.
There are always a lot of complaints about the state of the UK’s armed forces and I’m not an expert in any way but is it now incorrect to think of our forces as anything else but a part of a much larger force which is NATO? I mean what are the chances of us ever having to go into a conflict alone? In that sense each country in NATO will specialise in different ways. When you consider this force, without considering the US, includes the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, all the Scandinavian nations, why do we still talk like we are alone. There may be disagreements between these nations but nothing that would ever cause serious armed conflict between them. Like I said, I don’t know enough to do anything more than ask questions.
I suppose the obvious answer is that lacking the ability or even ambition to be able to operate as a standalone entity makes us extraordinarily weak (no more so than almost every other nation mind you – but our ambitions should be higher than that) in incapable of acting unilaterally.
I think it is naive to suggest every threat this nation could possibly face would be stood up to as part of a coalition. Against Russia, sure? But a less existential threat that would be controversial for other allies to get involved with requires that we have the wherewithal to fight alone. Think of a Falklands or Sierra Leone
Makes sense. I also wonder if we have reached a transitional period. For example, there is reluctance to create more frigates possibly because they cost hundreds of millions and it’s become obvious that they are now extremely vulnerable to something that costs next to nothing. Is the future just drones and robots and the winners will be the ones that get this in place the quickest?
I don’t think so at all to be honest. These vulnerabilities you allude to I assume stem from Russia’s Black Sea fleet being roundly clapped by the Ukrainians. These drones are only suited for the inner most littoral environments and cannot contest sea lanes or take any form of action that isn’t extremely short range and defensive. If you want to contest the high seas – and we do – drones cannot do the job of a manned large frigate
Many would agree with you. The UK is a major European military power and our armed forces are tasked to fight a specific role within NATO.
Some still want us to be more than that, which would be great if it were possible but would require a lot more money and resources than we have or are likely to have within the forseeable future.
Yeah I do wonder if it’s possible for us to create this massive force that a lot of people ask for without raising taxes at a time when we really can’t be squeezed any more with the cost of living as it is. I was a reservist back in 2003 and did a tour of Iraq but aside from that I can’t comment on what is possible and what should be. Does seem like everything these days cost billions and is meant to be part of a much larger alliance.
Respect for your service in 2003.
they said the same in the 1980’s and then the falklands happened. There are many situations when we could find ourselves on our own
Welcome news. It’s a shame we don’t have enough resources to enable a Queen Elizabeth CSG to be ready to deploy quickly if the need arises. The POW CSG ships and their air group will need weeks of maintenance and the ships company and aircrew much needed R&R. What’s more concerning is the knowledge that it is to take many years before the situation changes. Was hoping there might be some pics of all 24 F35Bs on deck?
What does this really mean in practice? Our CASD is assigned to NATO but UK retains full operational control. I assume the same will be true of the carrier.