Four carriers form one of the most powerful fleets at sea

Aircraft carriers from the United Kingdom, Japan and the United States have gathered in the Northern Philippine Sea in a high-profile demonstration of allied naval power during Operation Highmast.

A rare formation featuring two US Navy flat tops, Japan’s JS Kaga and the Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales has assembled in the Northern Philippine Sea in what may be the most powerful multinational naval force currently operating anywhere in the world.

Allies and partners sailing as one.

🇬🇧🇯🇵🇺🇸🇦🇺🇳🇴🇪🇸

📍Northern Phillippine Sea.#CSG25 #OpHighmast pic.twitter.com/OMC4Bo1vJL

— UK Carrier Strike Group (@COMUKCSG) August 10, 2025

The lineup includes a US Nimitz-class supercarrier, the F-35B-capable JS Kaga, a US Wasp/America-class amphibious assault ship and HMS Prince of Wales, each with embarked fast jets, helicopters and supporting escorts. Dozens of combat aircraft from the carriers formed up overhead in a display of allied air power.

Operation Highmast is the Royal Navy’s 2025 Carrier Strike Group deployment, centred on HMS Prince of Wales. The deployment spans the Indo-Pacific, with port visits and exercises designed to strengthen partnerships and improve operational readiness with regional allies. It has included joint training with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the US Navy, and the Australian Defence Force, as well as integrated air operations featuring F-35B Lightning II jets from 617 Squadron.

The operation also serves as a platform to develop complex multinational interoperability, from combined carrier strike operations to coordinated anti-submarine warfare and humanitarian assistance drills. This year’s itinerary takes the strike group across some of the most strategically contested waters in the world, underlining the UK’s commitment to upholding freedom of navigation and a stable security environment in the Indo-Pacific.

🔷#OpHighmast🔷#JS_KAGA and #JS_TERUZUKI are conducting a Japan – U.K – Australia – Norway – Spain – U.S.Multilateral Exercise!!!!!#CSG25 #AlliesAndPartners #StrongerTogether #Interoperability pic.twitter.com/Si0efmePO4

— 防衛省 海上自衛隊 (@JMSDF_PAO) August 10, 2025

Images released by the JMSDF show the three nations’ carriers and escorts operating in formation, with allied aircraft and helicopters visible on deck. The JMSDF framed the exercise as a testament to the strength of its alliances, using the hashtags #StrongerTogether and #AlliesAndPartners, while also invoking the shared goal of a “free and open Indo-Pacific”.

This carrier convergence marks a significant moment in Operation Highmast, combining naval aviation assets from some of the world’s most capable maritime forces in a single operating area.