British F-35B Lightning jets have launched from HMS Prince of Wales off the coast of Australia during a key phase of Exercise Talisman Sabre 25, showcasing UK carrier air power in the Indo-Pacific.
The stealth fighters launched into the evening sky on 9 July during flight operations ahead of full integration into the multinational exercise, which is being hosted across vast stretches of Australia’s northern and eastern coastlines.
An F-35B launches at sunrise from HMS Prince of Wales off the Australian coast during flying ops for #TalismanSabre25 part of the Royal Navy’s global #CSG25 deployment. 📷 AS1 Amber Mayall RAF, Crown Copyright 2025. pic.twitter.com/v6l9VQnagD
— UK Defence Journal (@UKDefJournal) July 18, 2025
Talisman Sabre 25 is the largest iteration of the Australian-US led exercise to date, involving over 35,000 personnel from 19 nations. It also represents the high point of Operation Highmast, the Royal Navy’s flagship deployment of 2025, led by Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG25).
Prince of Wales is joined by her escorts HMS Richmond and HMS Dauntless, with logistics support provided by RFA Tidespring. The task group has sailed to the Indo-Pacific via the Mediterranean and Middle East and will continue to operate across the western Pacific Rim.
The carrier’s embarked air wing includes the fifth-generation F-35Bs, as well as Merlin and Wildcat helicopters. Their presence at Talisman Sabre underscores Britain’s operational reach and commitment to regional security.
This year’s exercise features combined operations between British forces, US Marines, the Australian Defence Force, and others, with scenarios ranging from amphibious assaults to complex air integration. For the first time, offshore activities are also taking place in Papua New Guinea.
Over 3,000 UK personnel are taking part, including Royal Marines Commandos and elements of the British Army and Royal Air Force. The scale and complexity of Talisman Sabre make it a defining moment in the UK’s Indo-Pacific engagement this decade.
HMS Prince of Wales
HMS Prince of Wales is the second of the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers and serves as the current Fleet Flagship. Commissioned on 10 December 2019, she was constructed at Rosyth Dockyard, launched in December 2017, and delivered to the Royal Navy in 2019. The vessel began sea trials in September 2019 and arrived at her homeport, HMNB Portsmouth, in November that year.
Her commissioning ceremony coincided with the 78th anniversary of the sinking of the World War II battleship of the same name. Under the command of Captain Will Blackett since 2024, HMS Prince of Wales is one of the largest warships ever built for the Royal Navy.
The carrier displaces approximately 70,600 tonnes, measures 284 metres in length, and has a draught of 11 metres. She is designed around a Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aviation model, lacking catapults or arrestor wires. The air wing is currently planned to comprise up to 48 F-35B Lightning II aircraft and Merlin helicopters for airborne early warning and anti-submarine warfare.
The flight deck includes two aircraft lifts, a ski-jump ramp, and facilities for refuelling and rearming. Below deck, the ship features a hangar and 9 internal decks, supporting a total embarked force of up to 1,600 personnel, including 250 Royal Marines.
HMS Prince of Wales is equipped with a range of modern sensors and self-defence systems, including the S1850M long-range radar, Type 997 Artisan 3D radar, and Phalanx CIWS for close-in threats. The ship carries Sea-class workboats and Pacific 24 RIBs for operational support and boarding operations. Designed with flexibility in mind, she can operate a range of rotary-wing platforms such as Chinook, Apache, Merlin, and Wildcat helicopters, and accommodates large-scale amphibious operations.
The ship is powered for speeds in excess of 25 knots and has an operational range of 10,000 nautical miles, enabling sustained deployments such as the current 2025 Carrier Strike Group mission, Operation HIGHMAST.
“The air wing is comprised of 48 F35B…”? Errr no I dont think so matey….
Yeah but no but.
That’s a full load theoretically, (in times of danger) it’s what the UK tax payer spent on her design and envisaged use (in times of danger) all those (many many) years back.
But we only need 14 so we have saved a bastid fortune on F35’s, infact they are so good, we can even reduce the order and swap for some N capable (non carrier capable- non re-fueling capable) ones.
Diane Abbot did her sums well !
No, full load was designed to be 36 jets plus helicopters.
I know.
That’s why I wrote “(in times of danger) Twice, because that’s the sort of load they were designed to carry (in times of danger).
Hope that clears up any confusion.
There was even talk of up to 70 combined aircraft (in times of danger).
Got to go, my Chicken Phall has just arrived.
A Phall!!!! Lol. I saw a mate eat one of those once, it did not end well. Or start well for that matter.
Ha, It’s a bit hot but I’m used to it. Got a great local that knows how to make them just how I like them.
Best bit is I don’t have to wait for it to fly over from India !
The air wing is currently planned to comprise UP TO 48 F-35B Lightning II aircraft (to be fair)
Actually you could probably squeeze a few more on POW from other nations – or indeed future UK purchases.
I remember what Hermes took South (in that time of danger).
Up to 48 F-35B. Better buy some more then..!
Fat chance…
Although, to be fair to the MoD one really has to question the utility of an aircraft whose sole offensive capability is a laser guided bomb with a range of a few tens of km. LM really need to sort out the weapons integration issues. Its not just export customers who are being hamstrung in this way, reportedly the USAF, USN and USMC are also unhappy with progress. Someone needs to have a serious word with LM it seems.
Cheer CR
I’ll back you up mate.
To be fair CR offensive capabilities are likely to be enhanced by UAVs in the coming years which should enhance POWs strike capabilities.
An aircrafts capability is not solely based on the munitions It can deploy. Especially the F35. Its an ISTAR asset. Air superiority fighter. And those Paveway 4s give it the ability to hit targets in any weather, night or day, fixed or moving. 6 in one pass to 6 different targets. Stand off will certainly bring more options. But you won’t find a more capable warfighting machine in service.
With so few, It might be difficult to find one at all.
600 F35s operating across Europe by 2030. We’ll be just fine.