Just before noon today, the UK Carrier Strike Group entered the Red Sea, marking a milestone in the early phase of Operation Highmast — Britain’s largest naval deployment in recent years.
After departing from the eastern Mediterranean, the Carrier Strike Group transited the Suez Canal early this morning, with passage beginning around 6am.
The task group includes the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, supported by escort and allied vessels such as HMCS Ville de Québec (Canada), HNoMS Roald Amundsen and logistics support ship Maud (Norway), and ESPS Méndez Núñez (Spain). HMS Richmond is expected to join shortly.
The transition into the Red Sea signals the start of the next operational phase of Operation Highmast, an eight-month deployment aimed at strengthening defence ties and bolstering UK presence in the Indo-Pacific. Led by HMS Prince of Wales, the group is expected to conduct joint exercises, port visits, and regional security operations in cooperation with allies including the United States, Australia, and Japan.
RAF assets have also been active in support of the operation. Two Poseidon MRA1 maritime patrol aircraft were spotted over the Sinai Peninsula this morning, likely providing overwatch as the task group moved through one of the world’s busiest and most strategically sensitive waterways.
Operation Highmast follows the precedent set by the 2021 CSG21 deployment and underscores Britain’s continued commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The operation integrates air and naval assets from across the alliance, featuring UK F-35B jets, Merlin helicopters, and unmanned systems alongside allied platforms. Exercises will span the full spectrum of naval warfare, including anti-submarine warfare, maritime strike, and integrated air defence.
Despite today’s developments, Iranian media have been reporting that the UK remains outside the scope of the recent ceasefire agreement between the United States and Yemen. Naval operations in the Red Sea region will continue to be conducted with heightened awareness of ongoing tensions and the threat posed by regional actors.
Commanded by Commodore James Blackmore, the Carrier Strike Group’s deployment is intended to reinforce maritime security, deter potential threats, and enhance joint operational capability in contested environments. The task group’s arrival in the Red Sea marks another step toward that strategic goal.
Further updates will follow as the deployment continues eastward.
Nice reporting George. Impressive ship, great to see..
I should just add to to my first comment.. Impressive people also. Very professional. Good luck to all involved.
Awesome.
Watch out for those killer tomatoes, they’ll be harder to spot in the Red Sea.
“Ich Dien”.
😉Glad you mentioned Tomatoes. Had forgotten to add them to my online grocery order. 👍
And there was us all thinking the USS Theodore Roosevelt was hanging back to assist PoW in transit but she left last week after the Tangarine One bravely surrendered again. Seems there are no US assets assisting now. Great practice for British forces (transiting a hostile straight) and a clear sign of just how useful the base in Cyprus is.
Fingers crossed all goes well.
Ummm ..er…according to open sources, not quite a complete Sit Rep. USS Carl Vinson CSG is currently operating in Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Oman, certainly w/in rapid response distance. USS H.S. Truman CSG was relieved after intensive sustained ops targeting the Houthis. Over 1000 targets were engaged (no, BDA was not released, but precision weapons were employed). Houthis have agreed to a ceasefire. All are free to draw own conclusion; some might believe Houthis are in recovery mode. You’re welcome. Incidentally, willing to wager there will be a US CSG w/in response distance providing overwatch while PWLS CSG is w/in SCS. The stated intent of CSG25 is to demonstrate FOC, thus would presume (relatively) independent operation would be an explicit requirement.
Very much. There were several Voyager alone there a few days ago.
I’m fairly certain this force of warships is more than able to defend itself from anything the Huitis and Iranians would like to try to throw at them.
They’ve got 2 Aegis equipped frigates + a type 45 destroyer + a type 23 able to run close protection. Should be adequate, would have preferred a 2nd type 45 along but 4 of them are in refit for PIP work and the only other available type 45 is in UK home waters- which is fair enough.
I wonder if the USN were requested to provide a AB destroyer but they declined and asked to see the UK and European allies to go it alone.
Just shines a spotlight on the perilous state of the RN now- down to just 8 frigates and 6 destroyers- we need type 31 and type 26 programmes accelerated with promises of more batch orders to come and continuous construction- type 31. An air defence variant of either type 31 or type 26 would be a useful addition to the fleet to supplement the inadequate numbers of type 45s.
Maybe they could upgrade the current T31s in build though it’d blow the costs out and further delays. With a stronger radar and or additional search radar or, just build an additional 3+ with the lot!
Well the hour is will chase them out.after they run out of fitted for but not fitted with capabilities
Just keep the aircraft fastened down securely guys, that seabeds turning into an aircraft graveyard!
Iran doing a bit of sabre rattling.. we can see why HMS astute was nice and obviously loading in tomahawks in gib 6 days ago…nothing like a bit of “ we will give you pain as a deterrent “.