The Ministry of Defence has reaffirmed that HMS Prince of Wales will lead the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group deployment to the Indo-Pacific in 2025.
As the current flagship of the Royal Navy, HMS Prince of Wales has assumed this prestigious role for the first time in her career earlier this month, succeeding her sister ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard stated in a written response to questions from MP David Reed that the MOD is “committed to deploying HMS Prince of Wales as part of the Carrier Strike Group deployment to the Indo-Pacific 2025.”
While operational details for other deployments remain confidential for security reasons, the confirmation underscores the MOD’s focus on maintaining the ship’s high-profile mission schedule.
This announcement follows HMS Prince of Wales‘ designation as flagship during her recent preparations. Speaking to the UK Defence Journal aboard the vessel, Captain Will Blackett described the crew’s mood as “excited” as they look forward to the historic deployment. “We’re ready to go,” he said. “The ship works, the team know what they’re going to do, and we’re on standby now waiting for instructions.”
HMS Prince of Wales has undergone significant trials, including Exercise Strike Warrior, where she embarked F-35B Lightning jets for the first time, completing over 200 flying hours and refining her operational readiness. The upcoming deployment will see the carrier leading a task force east of the Suez Canal, underscoring the UK’s strategic emphasis on the Indo-Pacific.
Captain Blackett remarked on the significance of the carrier’s flagship status: “This is a proud moment for HMS Prince of Wales. We’ve been training hard, ably assisted by our sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth. We’re ready, we’re excited, and look forward to taking the next step in the ship’s life.”
For the crew of the Royal Navy’s flagship, this mission marks the culmination of years of preparation, hard work, and perseverance.
Speaking aboard the ship, Captain Will Blackett spoke to me on the sense of accomplishment that has brought them to this moment. “Excited” he said when asked to summarise the mood among the crew.
For Captain Blackett and his team, this deployment represents the result of rigorous trials and intense training.
“It’s the first time this ship has held the duty of flagship,” Captain Blackett explained. “Over the course of four years, we’ve overcome quite a lot of challenges.”
The upcoming Carrier Strike Group 2025 operation will see HMS Prince of Wales take her task force east of the Suez Canal on a global mission. Britain’s two Queen Elizabeth-class carriers, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth, regularly rotate the flagship title between them, with one ready for deployment and the other in routine maintenance. This is the first time in her five-year career that HMS Prince of Wales has assumed the prestigious role.
Onboard @HMSPWLS, George Allison spoke to Captain Will Blackett about the ship’s role as flagship, its connection to Liverpool, and what the sight of a British carrier means to adversaries and allies alike. #HMSPrinceOfWales #RoyalNavy pic.twitter.com/96dgUJNoYT
— UK Defence Journal (@UKDefJournal) December 3, 2024
Reflecting on the significance of the moment, Captain Blackett remarked, “This is a proud moment for HMS Prince of Wales. We’ve been training hard, ably assisted by our sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth. We’re ready, we’re excited, and look forward to taking the next step in the ship’s life.”
The transfer of the flagship role does not involve a formal ceremony, but the two carriers briefly met in UK waters before HMS Prince of Wales made her way to Liverpool for her official designation. HMS Queen Elizabeth’s Commanding Officer, Captain Will King, offered his support for the new flagship.
“Every Sailor in HMS Queen Elizabeth knows the pride that comes from serving in the RN Flagship. I wish HMS Prince of Wales every success taking on the title – they will do a fantastic job. As her sister-ship, we stand ready to support her in every way.”
As part of her preparations, HMS Prince of Wales participated in Exercise Strike Warrior, a major North Sea operation involving allied nations. The exercise included her first embarkation of F-35B Lightning jets from 809 Naval Air Squadron, which conducted 71 sorties over 210 flying hours and dropped live Paveway bombs during operational scenarios. The carrier’s 800-strong crew worked closely with their task group to refine procedures and tactics ahead of next year’s deployment.
The ship’s visit to Liverpool, her affiliated city, provides a unique opportunity for public engagement. Over seven days, the crew will interact with local schools, community projects, and civic leaders, giving the public a glimpse into life aboard the Portsmouth-based warship. This is HMS Prince of Wales’ first visit to Merseyside since March 2020, just before the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns began.
With an expected service life of up to 50 years, the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers are among the most advanced maritime platforms in the world. Adaptable and powerful, they can deliver carrier strike missions, enforce no-fly zones, deploy Royal Marine Commandos, deliver humanitarian aid, and build international partnerships. Their ability to travel 500 miles a day, combined with the speed and range of the F-35 Lightning II jets, allows them to react swiftly to crises and make a global impact.
As HMS Prince of Wales sets her sights on the Pacific, the excitement on board is palpable.
Hope she fills up on fuel before sailing because its a long voyage o the pacific without fuel . The RFA may still be on strike so no Tanker support available. Unless of course a foreign navy steps in.
So will we finally see a full British Air Wing deployed on her or will we need the US to bolster the wing as in the past?. Also will it be a complete RN carrier strike group including a full compliment of RFA supply ships?
I believe we’re to get two uk sqns of f35 with merlins
Some on here have said the US jets have not been embarked for a while.
Finally two Uk F-35 SQN, and probably no RFA tanker. Total sham.
Rumour is 24 U.K. F-35Bs will embark on.
In short not a chance!
A Tide will go with the group; even if one doesn’t, we know that RNoMS Maud is going, so there will always be some tanking available.
Considering she sets sail at the end of next month, I would have thought it was confirmed months ago.
I hope they all sail safely through the Suez. Russia and Iran must be smarting at what is happening to them and their buddy Assad, they would love it if the Houthis could hit a Royal Navy asset.
Anyone in the know if an itinerary is published? Keen to see if POW will put into Sydney for an open day
Not seen anything yet. Though with AUKUS in the headlines, I would like to say there’s a huge opportunity for the UK for the carrier group to visit both Oz and NZ. It’s too good an opportunity to miss surely!
thanks Davey, appreciate that. I live in Auckland so an NZ visit would be a big bonus!
With foreign auxiliary ships ?
I would keep the HMS Prince of Wales as far from Malaysia as possible. Re: 10 December 1941🇯🇵
She certainly had already shaft issues…
Will it sortie out of Singapore, as in 10 December 1941?
Best kept in the Atlantic imo. Sticking most of our F35 fleet on it? A big big mistake with Europe in the state it is in.
Agreed. Completely crackers sending a carrier strike group into the Pacific with Russia on the brink of defeat in Ukraine. The PoW strike group should be operating south of Spitzbergen to stop Russian subs entering the Atlantic. If Putin wants to demonstrate his continuing relevance to his oligarch supporters, some submarine warfare may be the next step. Asking Chinese merchant ships to drag their anchors only takes you so far.
I really worry about these poor kids, these ships are nothing more than floating coffins, Chinese anti ship missile tech is allegedly the best in the world and we’re no longer the Premier seafarer nation (not by a long shot) we’re masquerading as Nelson’s attack squadrons when in reality we may as well make HMS Victory the flagship. ♾️❤️✌️
Tosh! We aren’t at war with China. Why would they fire on our carrier?
To show that they can. Revenge for the Century of Humiliation is what motivates the CCP. It was the British Empire that defeated China in 1842. We may have forgotten but they have not. Sinking a US carrier would be a mistake and lead to the destruction of the PLAN. Sinking a British carrier would lead to the Chinese ambassador in London being savaged with a wet bok choy. There’s something else about the year 2025, but this is enough for now.
Glad to see a realistic appraisal of our true capability. Something the “patriotic dreamers” who regularly comment on here need to understand.
While the RN is always welcome back in the Pacific and it sends a powerful signal about future intent and capabilities, as it stands the ‘CarrierStrike Group’ currently lacks any practical strike capability against a peer state with the F35Bs present integrated weapons. The F35Bs will no doubt be exceptionally capable in the air to air role and for CAP to protect other fleet assets, but the Paveway 4 could only be used in the most benign environments. With a range of around 6 miles depending on the altitude it is dropped from the F35s would need to be virtually… Read more »
Your numbers are wrong. Only block 2 Tomahawk had a range of 2500 kms when air launched. The ship launched block4/5 versions that Australia has bought have a range of@ 1400 kms. Paveway 4 range depends on speed and altitude of launch aircraft. Raytheon give a range of over 31 kms. If LM finally sort the shambles of the F35 software upgrades, integration of Spear 3 will provide a longer range anti ship capability that will be hard to defend against. The whole point of F35s stealth design is to greatly reduce its vulnerability to AA defences. So, whilst less… Read more »
I was quoting from the official Australian DoD releases which all state a range of ‘up to 2,500 kilometers’ and it may be overstated or an error. Open sources show a range for the Block Vb of greater than 900 nautical miles which equates to over 1600 kilometers but the actual range will be classified. In any case 1600ks is a strategically significant range and sufficient for the RANs surface fleet to hold an adversary at risk. Noting that the Tomahawks will also equip the RANs 6 Hunter class frigates and ultimately the Virginia Class SSNs. While Spear 3 will… Read more »
Great having the prince Of Wales here. The ceremony and march past was on a weekday so many people missed it. Then came a mini hurricane which cancelled the Saturday visitor passes. But the crew and locals still had a good time and we sent them off with a fireworks display on Monday. Safe passage to the sunnier Southern hemisphere to all on board.