Gen. Sir Gwyn Jenkins, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, has described Britain’s aircraft carriers as unmatched tools of influence, setting the UK apart in allied defence diplomacy.
Writing in Britain’s World, the online magazine of the Council on Geostrategy, Jenkins reflected on the Atlantic and Pacific Future Forum (PFF) held aboard HMS Prince of Wales in Tokyo Bay last month.
The event coincided with the UK Carrier Strike Group 2025 deployment.
“The PFF is important to me personally as the Chief of the Royal Navy because it helps me to bring together allies and industries in a unique format, and to engage in important discussions about what future defence and security means for our respective nations, our respective forces and our respective regions. It was a real success,” he said.
Jenkins noted that the carrier’s presence created a forum unlike the typical conference circuit. “In a world that is awash with conferences in anodyne theatres, the chance to come on board a British aircraft carrier, with its phenomenal convening power, is what set the PFF apart over the two days in Tokyo,” he wrote.
He also underlined the significance of engaging allies and industry alike. “The PFF brings together industry, allies and partners who contribute to the amazing capability of CSG2025, but who also have an investment and interest in seeing the UK’s defence – and the defence of our allies – develop into the future. I’ve been enthused by the depth of conversation, but also by the deeply thought intellectual debate about what the future of our forces should look like, and what the engagement between Europe and the Indo-Pacific should be.”
The full article, including contributions from Lord Sedwill, Stephen Watson and other senior figures, is available via Britain’s World: The Big Ask No. 38.2025.
I’ve been following CSG25 on its travels, primarily through Youtube. A few Japanese language videos about HMS POW’s visit to Tokyo came up on my feed and , thanks to the translate function, I was able to read a good number of Japanese comments. They seemed really impressed by the Royal Navy Carrier. The comment section on these videos were far kinder and encouraging than you often see on the English ones! I guess the trolls couldn’t be bothered with Japanese videos.
The Japanese probably wouldn’t mind having QE carrier for their F35Bs themselves! Wonder if the UK could sell them a licence build?
I expect they still feel somewhat bound by their constitutional requirement not to have attacking forces. The JS Izumo and Kaga are officially multi-role destroyers, even though have been adapted to carry F-35Bs. A full strike carrier may still be too soon for them. South Korea would be a better bet as they keep vacillating on building their own. Weird given that both countries are far more prolific shipbuilders than we are.
I agree our Carriers really are top class but unless the government invest more money on these Vessels with more F35s ,a Missile defence system they are going to be found wanting in a fight . There again everybody on ukdj know all three services are to small and well underfunded .Maybe jenkins needs to reminded Prime minister Starmer that he did tell President Trump UK going to spend 5% on defence budget 🤗
Totally agree on the profound lack of defensive armaments. You’d think it’s something that could be easily remedied with a mix of 40mm, CAMM, Dragonfire and Ancilia instead of leaving it all up to the escorting ship(s).And they need to give thr F35Bs more teeth too. But besides that it looks fabulous!
The general public have little interest in navies. Often referred to as “battleships” a nuclear submarine alongside looks quite pathetic. Everyone knows that presently the US navy is all powerful and their icon is the aircraft carrier. A truly impressive sight and in Japan they are not strangers. One is even based there, so for them it is reassuring to see a new ally turn up with one.
This is nonsense, most medium sized countries operate super carriers with 5th gen air wings supported by high end escorts and numerous allied vessels on the other side of the world.
We all know as well that carriers and stealth aircraft are useless and what you really need to invest in is fake hypersonic missiles, 1950’s bombers and ground forces that look like something out of mad max.
That’s is the real way to gain global influence comrades
😀
Half full, vanity projects with very weak self defence. That is where all the money went in to these two. We keep showing them off that is all they are fancy things to whow the world. Mean while the Army is falling apart, the RAF is tiny and has no AEW/AWACS the Artillery has only 14 SPGs, and we have no anti U/CAS, no long range GB Air defence, a shortage of ammo.
We flash these ships about but do not really have rest to back them up, and if did every use them it best be a very short war before we run out of missiles for the escorts.
We do have some C-UAS, Martin.
Not much, but some. Orcus and Rapid Sentry, used by the RAF Regiment.
There are several Army CUAS programs ongoing, I hope they come to fruition soon.
I disagree that the QEC are vanity projects, they are capable assets.
Agree with the rest.
My biggest worry is we have lots of fancy projects, CUAS etc but no orders, and this magic date of all will be fine by 2030 as if noting needs to be rushed it all just fall in to place neat and tidy.
Carriers cost £6 billion to build spread over ten years and we spend £50 billion per annum so why would you think the carriers are responsible for the army only having 14 SPG’s. I could come up with several dozen better reason for the army only having 14 SPG but the main one being that we gave them all to Ukraine to fight a war. Could you tell us how that is impacted by the navy having two aircraft carriers?
Trying doing a bit of research maybe.
So angry, never mind, we put so much in to the carriers , add the aircraft etc, Not much left over for any one else. And yes we gifted all our AS90’s the Ukraine what great idea that was. Which CDS agreed to that? The Navy has had a lot of the budget lately look at the Type 26/31’s on order. Now that the nuclear subs come out of the defence budget not a lot left for much else, Thats my point, we can not have every thing but the Army comes a poor third most of the time.
We have two cheap super carriers. Just build a third improved QE. Now!
We need escorts and fighters, not a third carrier
In the era of cheap long-range drone swarms, armed with loitering and AI defensive measures, may mean the the age of the Aircraft Carrier is over.