Newly released images show HMS Prince of Wales docked at night in Singapore, as the UK’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) completes the latest phase of its Operation Highmast deployment through the Indo-Pacific.
Captured recently, the photographs depict the Royal Navy’s flagship illuminated against the Singapore skyline, marking a moment of symbolic importance during the CSG’s port visit. The task group, comprising vessels from Canada, Norway, Spain and the UK, had earlier completed exercises in the Mediterranean before sailing to Southeast Asia.
“This visit to Singapore demonstrates the UK’s enduring commitment to regional security and our strategic partnerships across the Indo-Pacific,” said a Ministry of Defence spokesperson. “As the CSG sails alongside allies and partners, it strengthens cooperation, supports peace, and promotes free and open navigation in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.”
The CSG is led by HMS Prince of Wales, operating with two embarked F-35B squadrons. Accompanying ships include Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Norwegian Navy vessel.
During its time in Singapore, the Carrier Strike Group engaged in joint training, military diplomacy and outreach activities designed to reinforce shared values and interoperability with regional partners. According to the Ministry of Defence, “the Strike Group represents the very best of British industry, innovation and global ambition.”
In the coming weeks, the task force will participate in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 in Australia, a major multinational exercise hosted by the Australian Defence Force and involving US, British, and regional units. The deployment supports the UK’s goal of achieving full operational capability for its carrier strike system and reflects a strategic commitment to the security architecture of the Indo-Pacific.
The task group departed Singapore shortly after the image was taken, continuing its eight-month journey through the Pacific Rim.
I think ‘Good show’ is in order.
I agree.
This is more the kind of PR that is needed.
Come on RN – this would so help with recruitment….
HM Forces need to change their outlook and PR people very quickly. The main demographic that provided the backbone of our armed forces has not given up the idea of joining but either been put off by absurdly trendy advertisements or turned away for being ‘the wrong sort of person we are looking for’ – and the diverse have shown themselves to be adverse to joining what far too many of them see as a foreign military.
She looks just like when she is tied up in pompey, just with a few more toys on deck !
“It’s OK, I’m only teasing”.
Fantastic achievement showcasing the Royal Navy in it’s almost unrivelled ability to park an airfield off any country in the World.
“With a little help from our friends”.
Disco! Let’s have a rave party.
Just a side question, we all know what happend the last time HMS Prince Of Wales sails from Singapore! Whatdoes Malaya, Singapore realy think about the UK. I havemany friends and family that served there in the late 50s early 60s. They loved it apart from the unknown bullet, duck incoming.
Was there anything to remember those brave men that went out and did their duty. This for me is personnel as to me a unknown uncle served on the old battlewagon as an engineering officer. I am even named after him.
So I do have a request to the RN when you sail can you please stop for a moment, send a dive team down and put the white ensign on HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse.
Well in surveys, Singapore is pretty much the most positive of our former overseas possessions towards Britain. For good reason tbh as it was fundamentally a virtually an unpopulated mosquito infested swamp before uk entrepreneurs moved in and saw its potential as a vitally positioned port and trade centre. The whole population were immigrants from elsewhere whose descendants have generally, if not made fortunes have an excellent standard of living and as long as you don’t step out of line an agreeable existence. One of those uniquely places that benefited immensely from Empire and little grievance to play upon for the most part.
I understand that we like to ‘big-up’ the CSG and the British element of it. But ‘the very best of British industry, innovation and global ambition’ is somewhat over the top. The carrier is not nuclear powered, has very limited defensive armament and is equipped with a modest number of short-legged, limited range, limited payload F35Bs.
It is certainly not in the same league as the Ford or the new Chinese Fujiam.
As for ‘our strategic commitment to the security architecture of the indo Pacific’, the reality is that we have very little in the way of ships to send there. It is doubtful that we would despatch 25% of our very small pool of fast jet combat aircraft off to the Indo Pacific, in view of more important NATO commitments back home.
A more credible and useful way to see the CSG is as an E-NATO deployment and commitment. Whether the carrier is British. French, Italian or, with its planned EMALS Spanish. does not really signify
None of the European nations alone can provide a carrier strike group.to the Indo Pacific. But collectively, they could do so and make a useful contribution to maritime security.in the region
The RN alone does not have the ships to do so, without taking escorts away from Eastlant. This ‘global ambition’ the spokesman speaks about is neither feasible for the UK alone nor an objective of the recent SDSR. The RN needs to get with the programme: there is no possibility of the UK alone maintaining any sizeable naval force east of Suez and we should be less strident about our ‘enduring commitment’ to our allies in the region, which we are simply not going to have the forces to fulfill.
Not sure the MOD press release to support that particular take would sound too impressive mind. The 1941 version no doubt would have been something like ‘don’t panic we are a bit short staffed presently but we are sending a few ill protected battleships, though sorry can’t spare a Carrier with its battle proven Fairey Swordfish to put fear up the (censored) Asians and their damn Malaysian no sail zone, but hey we are doing our best and let’s be honest it would have only been another short lived target anyway eh, so as Singapore surrenders do look on the bright side’.
Beautiful night time picture of RN Prince of Wales. I think for the RN the main areas of interest will be of course NATO/European waters GIUK gap so on.. With small naval deployments elsewhere. I personally think it’s good for the UK to carry out a Carrier Task Group on a longer deployment every now and again, still proving to adversaries that the UK has a Blue water navy and for diplomacy, training with allies, but a large part of the RN’s capabilities will very much be needed in our own back yard. Still hoping one day the RN will have another 3 to 5 frigates, will see. But I agree if the task group involves other European navies in support, like is happening now, that’s great, how it should be..
A lot of this is about forming closer economic and indeed military economic ties with very important and growing economies that we hope as we have with Japan gain advantages from. Sometimes people need to see the bigger and varied picture, as well as showing Europe and others United can provide military and political support even though everyone knows we won’t be fighting a war in their back yard. The average person and even those more powerful can be deeply influenced by such matters.
* HMS Prince of Wales should of said.
Should’ve said or should have said!
😁You can choose.
Bravo Zulu indeed.
I hope all the Ships Company got a good run ashore as they deserve it. Shame Bugis Street is now a Shopping Centre!!!
I’m sure POW will rightly pay its respects to its predecessor. BZ POW!!!
hollow words from the ministry of defence, in reality UK defence forces are used at the direction of the USA
and when the USA can’t be bothered it will be the EU
Wrong!
My great uncle was on the last HMS Prince Of Wales when it departed Singapore, as we know she did not return home, may they all rest in piece. Wonder if they will sail past their forebearers, would be fitting somehow.
Great to see POW and the Singapore skyline in 2025, we remember HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse and also HMS Thanet, lost in the Battle off Endau whilst serving with HMAS Vampire, 26 January 1942.