UK and U.S. form huge double carrier strike group in Pacific

The United Kingdom and United States have formed a powerful twin-carrier strike group in the Pacific, as HMS Prince of Wales joins USS George Washington for the record-breaking multinational Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 in Australia.

More than 3,000 British troops are participating in the largest Australian-hosted military exercise ever, with forces deployed across Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. This is the UK Carrier Strike Group’s largest engagement of Operation Highmast, a global deployment designed to reaffirm Britain’s Indo-Pacific commitments.

The exercise features over 35,000 personnel from 19 nations. For the first time, operations are also taking place in Papua New Guinea.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: “The historic bonds between Britain and Australia run deep, and through AUKUS and exercises like Talisman Sabre we are strengthening these ties for the challenges of tomorrow. Our commitment to the Indo-Pacific is unwavering, as this huge military exercise demonstrates.”

Leading the UK contribution, HMS Prince of Wales joins HMS Dauntless and RFA Tidespring, while American forces bring USS George Washington, USS Robert Smalls, and USS Shoup. They are supported by HMAS Sydney, Norway’s Roald Amundsen, and Canada’s Ville de Québec.

Commodore James Blackmore, Commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group, said: “This is a real demonstration of the UK and our partners’ warfighting capabilities. Exercise Talisman Sabre is also an opportunity for the UK to develop new levels of integration between systems and capabilities with the US, Australia, and other partners.”

The UK is also showcasing advanced AUKUS technologies. British forces are leading trials of AI-enabled systems and uncrewed underwater vehicles, including remote operations of extra-large uncrewed submarines. AI algorithms are being tested for real-time target identification and engagement in a simulated combat environment.

All three UK armed services are participating. Royal Marines are working alongside a British Army Ranger battalion and RAF Voyager aircraft. Sub-sea and seabed warfare capabilities are being jointly trialled by AUKUS navies, with DSTL-led experiments advancing integration across AI and autonomy.

The UK deployment aligns with the government’s Plan for Change and its commitment to increase defence spending to 2.6% of GDP. The MOD says the £75 billion uplift will support international partnerships and cutting-edge platforms like the Carrier Strike Group.

Healey added: “We will continue to work alongside our closest allies to maintain the security and stability that underpins global prosperity.”