Britain has launched its most ambitious naval deployment in years as HMS Prince of Wales and the UK Carrier Strike Group embark on an eight-month mission under Operation Highmast.
The deployment, spanning the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Indo-Pacific, marks a significant milestone for the Royal Navy and the United Kingdom’s commitment to global security.
Speaking during a media briefing aboard HMS Prince of Wales, Commodore James Blackmore, Commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group, described the deployment as “a global deployment, international by design” that brings together warships and personnel from 13 nations.
You can watch the briefing here, enjoy!
“This is the declaration of full operating capability for the UK Carrier Strike Group,” said Blackmore. “It marks the culmination of eight years of progress – from flying trials to global deployments – and demonstrates that the UK now maintains a high-readiness carrier capability, always available.”
🚢 Key Objectives of Operation Highmast
Commodore Blackmore outlined three primary goals for the mission:
- Full Operating Capability (FOC): Confirming the strike group’s ability to deploy globally with modern aircraft, uncrewed systems, and advanced surface vessels.
- Commitment to NATO 2030: Reinforcing UK leadership within NATO through international exercises and coordination.
- Supporting Global Security & Prosperity: Enhancing regional stability and promoting a rules-based international order with key partners.
“We’ll operate with over 40 nations, from bilateral work with Singapore to major multi-carrier exercises in the Pacific with the US and Japan,” said Blackmore.
✈️ The Air Wing – UK’s Largest Modern Combat Air Package at Sea
The air wing embarked on HMS Prince of Wales will grow significantly during the deployment. Captain Colin McGannity, Commander Air Group, confirmed that:
- The mission begins with 18 UK F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jets, operated by RAF 617 Squadron ‘The Dambusters’ and 809 Naval Air Squadron ‘The Immortals’.
- The number of F-35Bs will increase to 24 jets during the deployment, making it the largest ever operational deployment of British fifth-generation aircraft at sea.
“This is the most potent sovereign air power we’ve ever deployed. The capability of the F-35B is absolutely eye-watering,” said McGannity. “It’s a force multiplier in every sense.”
The air wing will also include:
- 16 UK helicopters, including Merlin Mk2s for anti-submarine warfare, Merlin Mk4 Commando variants, and Wildcat helicopters for armed reconnaissance.
- Three flights of drones, including Malloy T-150 heavy-lift drones and Puma surveillance UAVs.
“This deck will operate more aircraft than we’ve ever flown from a UK carrier,” added Blackmore. “More than any Illustrious-class carrier ever achieved.”
⚓ Strike Group Composition at Launch
The task group departs UK waters with the following naval assets:
- HMS Prince of Wales – Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier (flagship)
- HMS Dauntless – Type 45 air defence destroyer
- HMS Richmond – Type 23 anti-submarine frigate
- RFA Tidespring – Tide-class replenishment tanker
- HMCS Ville de Québec – Canadian multi-role frigate
- HNoMS Roald Amundsen – Norwegian anti-submarine frigate
- HNoMS Maud – Norwegian support tanker
With more than 3,000 UK military personnel aboard the ships, the total number of people involved will rise to over 4,000 during the multinational phases of the deployment.
“It’s a truly international force, with contributions from Canada, Norway, Spain, and eventually France, Japan, Australia, Korea and more,” said Blackmore.
A Message to Allies – and Adversaries
Asked whether the high-profile deployment sends a message amid global instability, Blackmore replied:
“Absolutely. You don’t build a capability like this to keep it tied up alongside. You put it to sea to exercise, to partner with allies, and if necessary, to fight. It’s a powerful signal of resolve.”
And on whether this is a substitute for American carrier presence:
“Not at all,” he said. “We operate together. No one goes it alone anymore – interoperability is key, and that’s what we’re proving here.”
Operation Highmast demonstrates Britain’s growing role as a maritime power with global reach, backed by next-generation jets and a multinational coalition. For the sailors, aviators, and marines aboard HMS Prince of Wales, it’s history in the making.
Others have mentioned the lack of an Astute-class submarines in regards to the composition of the CSG on UKDJ – can you confirm if one will be present?
HMS Astute has already sailed to join CSG
If anyone says they can or they cannot they will be making it up.
Not enough escorts. I assume at least one Astute class sub as well.
F/Jack, 4 escorts sounds a good number to me. Why do you need many more? We won’t know about the sub as their movements have traditonally been classified.
four looks embarrassing, the french delivery Gaulle group has twice the number. so too of course the Americans. there needs to be two air defence ships, two for ASW. AT LEAST TWO SUBMARINES AND A FULL AIR WING EMBARKED. the ‘tour’ could change its task at very short notice if they are needed to be involved in a conflict. which could happen in a flash.
the size of the CSG is embarrassing 1 destroyer, 1 frigate needn’t have bothered the only message it sends is that the royal navy without the carriers is a joke entirely
Andy, did you read the piece? There are 7 vessels in the CSG.
Garbage. The size of CSG is less important that combat capability.
There’s 3 other escorts
Do all of these have to be separate articles?
For readability’s sake, it would be much better to put out a single long article with subheadings than flood the website with very similar articles.
Is there an algorithm angle to this?
Articles reaching thousands of words are boring to read and boring to write.
Very fair!
They are all gone so soon.
They are to go through the Suez and the Red Sea. No doubt the Houthis will try to throw something at them. I hope they are prepared.
We are.
I just hope the T-45 doesn’t break down this time.
> “making it the largest ever operational deployment of British fifth-generation aircraft at sea.”
Isn’t it the largest fifth-generation operational deployment of any navy at sea? The Americans only ever planned to put 20 F-35s on their Ford Class carriers, and I’m not sure they’ve gone that far yet either. Of course they have a crap ton of F-18s as well. But still.
We operate together. No one goes it alone anymore – interoperability is key, and that’s what we’re proving here.” Utter rubbish China and America and hell Even russia if they can stop the old admiral kuznetsov from setting on fire can deploy on there own. Our usual Politically correct virtue signalling nonsense only promotes one thing, We give it the large one on the international stage but don’t have the minerals to back it up. This is just a massive waste of time and tax payers money
Hope all goes well ,like most people on ukdj wish the RN had more escorts but it is what it is .Hopefully the RN will grow again 🙏 🇬🇧
Just one escort with long range air defense system, Dauntless with Aster c.80 mile range. CAMM/ESSM is c20+ to 27 mile. Hopefully other allies would contribute a Standard SAM equipped escort where necessary as having all our eggs in one escort basket is concerning. Despite all the boasts & bluster it seems an ideal opportunity to have Trump causing chaos if you’re building to attempt to invade Taiwan. Any NATO task group could find itself in harms way at a moments notice. Medium/short range we’re well covered. Replacing 12+ T42s with just 6 T45s has left us dangerously exposed.
CSG MUST have more support ships. Cruisers, destroyers, submarines. Past naval warfare shows that need!
No specific mention of Crowsnest but I assume it will be part of the air wing?
Pater, Crowsnest is borne by Merlin helo.
PoW has been joined by her F35s and is underway