HMS Queen Elizabeth and her Carrier Strike Group are currently exercising in the North Sea as part of NATO’s largest annual exercise.

For Exercise Joint Warrior, HMS Queen Elizabeth is sailing with HMS Defender, HMS Diamond, HMS Northumberland, HMS Kent, RFA Fort Victoria and RFA Tideforce in addition to the USS The Sullivans and Dutch vessel HNLMS Evertsen.

Commodore Steve Moorhouse, Commander UK Carrier Strike Group, said:

“The new UK Carrier Strike Group is the embodiment of British maritime power, and sits at the heart of a modernised and emboldened Royal Navy. Protected by a ring of advanced destroyers, frigates, helicopters and submarines, and equipped with fifth generation fighters, HMS Queen Elizabeth is able to strike from the sea at a time and place of our choosing; and with our NATO allies at our side, we will be ready to fight and win in the most demanding circumstances. Carrier Strike offers Britain choice and flexibility on the global stage; it reassures our friends and allies and presents a powerful deterrent to would-be adversaries.”

HMS Queen Elizabeth and her Strike Group are currently exercising alongside allied nations in the North Sea, as part of NATO’s largest annual exercise, Joint Warrior.

Type 45 Destroyers are among the most advanced anti-air warships in the world.

Why is this happening?

The Ministry of Defence say that the aim is to provide a complex environment in which the participants can train together, honing tactics and skills in preparation for deployment as a Combined Joint Task Force.

Aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.

“The scenario for each Joint Warrior is designed to reflect contemporary political tensions – such as the War on Terror and the threat posed by ISIS – and to simulate the hostilities that might result from them. The ultimate aim? To assure maximum preparedness in the face of any threat.”

F-35B jets onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth.

This massive multinational war exercise involves warships, aircraft, marines and troops from UK, NATO and allied forces. The exercise doesn’t only allow participating units to hone their specialist roles within a larger war-style setting – it also helps foster vital links between the UK, NATO and other allied militaries.

George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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24 COMMENTS

    • At least two of the escorts are dedicated anti aircraft platforms so I dont think Charles de Gaulle would have any easier a task than say the submarine in the group would of sinking her.

      • Rafales have Exocet anti ship missiles,does not need to go near British TF. They have E2C that can detect from long range and give data to Rafales to fire their Exocets below radar horizon.

        Overall the French TF is stronger as a general strike force with SCALP in Rafales and FREEM plus in submarines, Also Exocets in same platforms.

        British TF attack capability is limited to Tomahawks and Harpoon in submarines and Harpoon in Type 23 frigates.

        So based on this i say that a CG TF group is more powerful than the British one at current time.

        Right now the power projection capability of British TF is very limited, it works for defense mostly (with caveat of not even an AEW it has)

        • We also should not forget the institutional knowledge the French have while Royal Navy lacks.

          Of note the Rafale is the only foreign aircraft qualified for US CVN’s and a French team of 350 with and 12 Rafale operated from an US CVN for 2 weeks in 2018.

        • Those Rafael’s will be within detection range long before they can release their exocets, which have what 40 mile range? that’s if cdg hasn’t been sunk by an astute before they can take off

          • There is no surface horizon range to 100km unless with surface duct, Rafale go at top wave and there in no way the British TF can detect them unless with pickets or -F-35 which cannot be always on the air – then the pickets would be vulnerable.

          • Sorry to disappoint you on that, without going into specifics, my money is on the guy with Tomahawks! Stop pretending the French are more powerful than the British, they are not!

          • What you on about? those Tomhawks are against land not against ships, they are like Scalp. Btw the French can also put Storm Shadow in their Rafales and the nuclear missile they have.

          • What are you on about?? (Note I actually speak English) ‘Those’ Tomahawks (that only the US & UK have) are for use against anything, Einstein! Have you had any military experience? Have you ever kissed a girl? Has your mum tucked you up with your teddy bear yet Alexis? & I’ll pre-empt your pre-pubescent retort, for the first two, yes I have, many times!

          • Fact: The only ignorant idiot on here is you pea brain! I am an armed forces veteran with 8 years service & I know what I’m talking about! Having said that, I must be bored because I’m arguing with something with the IQ of a walnut!!!

          • It is very bad sign for the armed forces that a 8 years veteran does not know that Tomhawk that RN have is an anti land target missile not an anti ship missile…

          • What’s a Tomhawk genius? It’s called a Tomahawk! I know you may be tired after your ‘Big Issue’ round, but get a grip! I also know what the RN use because my son is in the RN. According to you a TLAM can fly 1000 miles & hit a garden shed but can’t hit a 10,000 ton warship!!! You are a joke of the worst kind. By the time I was 26 I had fought in 3 war zones, what did you do apart from failing Girl Guides selection? Dim-wit

          • Neither does a 40,000 ton aircraft carrier that stays in dock 6 months of the year, which brings us back to your 1st pathetic comment! Hook, line & sinker! Didn’t take as long as I thought, Ha Ha! One born every minute! Retard!

          • P.S. The only institutional knowledge the French have is ‘How to Surrender’. Game, set & match you prick.

          • That may be a funny joke but I’m not necessarily sure its entirely true to be honest. They have very competent Armed Forces.

  4. Its all very easy to compare a mature CDG battle group with a RN group and deride the RN group, as its still in its infancy with pieces yet to be put in place.

    The F35 will carry more weapons in due course, as hopefully will our escorts.

  5. Alex is right the Royal Navy is not well armed offensive wise and has been noted many times and enemies are aware of it! The destroyers must be better armed and the early warning capabilities must be improved .

    I’m sure the F35 anti ship capabilities will improve soon . But yeah the F35 will take out any Rafael before they even see the F35 coming

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