Throughout Exercise Strike Warrior, aircraft will be launched, missiles fired, bombs dropped, and targets neutralised, showcasing the operational capabilities of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group.
The exercise is supported by the Royal Air Force, the British Army, and NATO allies, emphasising the interoperability and strength of joint military forces.
This training is a key component of ensuring readiness for future deployments.
Today marks the start of Exercise #StrikeWarrior.
Aircraft will be launched, missiles shot, bombs dropped, guns fired, and targets neutralised.
This exercise is supported by the RAF, Army and NATO.#WeAreNATO pic.twitter.com/Ipvf4AVD5L
— UK Carrier Strike Group (@COMUKCSG) October 14, 2024
What is Strike Warrior?
Exercise Strike Warrior is a major naval training event held by the Royal Navy, designed to enhance combat readiness and strengthen interoperability among allied forces. Taking place off the coast of Scotland, the exercise involves a wide array of naval assets, including surface ships, submarines, and air units, such as the UK Carrier Strike Group (CSG).
HMS Prince of Wales, one of the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, plays a central role, alongside other vessels like HMS Iron Duke. The training scenarios during Strike Warrior include simulated air and missile attacks, anti-submarine warfare, and surface combat exercises, providing a rigorous test of the fleet’s capabilities.
It brings together forces from NATO allies and partner nations, fostering coordination and tactical skill development among participants. By simulating high-intensity combat operations, Strike Warrior aims to ensure that participating units, including aircraft, frigates, and destroyers, are well-prepared to meet the challenges of naval warfare.
18 aircraft are now on onboard POW. 10 F35Bs. 4 Merlins (2 AEW, 2 ASW) And 4 Wildcats. And QE is also putting to sea very soon.
Thank you Robert for confirming. I am very much looking forward to CSG25 next year with 24 F35Bs – it will be amazing! I have heard 14 helos will also be onboard but not sure the mix or if this will actually be the final number.
Is QE embarking on another training exercise?
Do we really need both QE and POW operational at the same time?
No not really, either Balwark or Albion would be a lot more useful and make more sense otherwise skills we be lost
Laying up one of the carriers means a much reduced availability
Yes we should have three carriers so two are operational at any one time.
Post maintenance shake down I believe.
Hi David.. l did wonder if the RAF/RN will deploy around 18 F35’s next year! Same numbers that the Brits and United States did a few years back. Sure would be great to see 24 F35’s if possible. Difficult to know how the final numbers will work out.
Weak :))) Cavour went to Pacific with 8 F-35(2 AF 6 Navy), 7 Harrier, 2 NH 90.
But it is probably near the max it can take.
That’s comparing the Italian equivalent of CSG25 with a local NATO exercise, though.
They have a very tidy little carrier capability going on now, with Trieste coming on line following the new fashion for twin islands, set by ours truly the RN.
An impressive and largely unexpected effort by the Italians that gained a lot of notice in the Indo-Pacific region, from India to Australia to Japan. The Italian Navy has demonstrated that it is clearly number 3 in Europe in terms of blue water capability. And the new, large, multi-role LHD Trieste will be an excellent supplement to Cavour, whilst providing amphibious warfare capabilities that the RN has now lost.
Yeah, Trieste should go to US to get F-35 classification next year.
Do wonder if Italy would be better building a second Trieste? As with two LHDs it wound give them more operational flexibility.
What will be the other vessels that make up the total carrier group in 2025 ? And how manny subs ?Thanks
Good to see part of 820 NAS has finally embarked, obviously the two month grounding after the loss of the Merlin HC4 has ended. Although the root cause for that crash doesn’t seem to be in the public domain yet.
Yeah QE is supposed to be leaving Portsmouth Monday afternoon
Last night I was listening to the ‘Life Scientific’ on R4… and on it was a mathematician who used to work for Babcock. Turns out, in 2008 they were about to cancel the carriers due to projected cost of operations. He provided the algorithm that calculated the amount of sea time and refit time that would make them affordable but useable. And I immediately thought about this audience which keeps mentioning how little they seem to be at Sea. Turns out – it’s because that was the basis of actually ordering them! You can’t use them too much or you’ll… Read more »
In 2008 we had a Labour Government. It was Labour that ordered the carriers barely a decade before. Can this story be right?
It is possible. I mean the military and industry needed a way to make it palatable to the political world. So cut everything, that is why there are no missiles for self defence, phalanx are apparently only deployed in long missions etc.
Didn’t they identify the requirement in 1998 SDR but they weren’t actually ordered until 2008?