World’s most powerful warship currently off British coast

The United States Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, has transited the Strait of Dover into the North Sea with its strike group.

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) is comprised of the carrier itself alongside the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Mahan (DDG 72), USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) and USS Bainbridge (DDG 96).

The group’s passage on 17 August marks the first time a U.S. carrier strike group has crossed through the Channel since the Harry S. Truman strike group in October 2024.

Captain Dave Skarosi, commanding officer of Gerald R. Ford, framed the movement in strategic terms. “Gerald R. Ford’s agile transit through the Strait of Dover between England and France is a testament to our power projection capability that supports peace through strength. Our skilled navigation team ensures that the world’s largest aircraft carrier brings our capability as a forward-positioned force anytime, anyplace, to defend the Euro-Atlantic region from hostile action.”

A U.S. Navy statement highlighted the deterrent and alliance role of the deployment. “The inherent flexibility and scalable maritime force that GRFCSG provides to the NATO Alliance is unrivaled, and their continued operations in the U.S. European Command area of operation reinforces the U.S. Navy’s ironclad commitment to the stability and security of the European theater,” the release said.

Commodore of Destroyer Squadron Two, Captain Mark Lawrence, added that the transit was also a statement of collective maritime resolve. “A free and open maritime domain benefits all nations. Our collective surface force’s transit into the North Sea demonstrates our resolve to strengthen peace, stability, and deterrence across the European continent.”

The Strait of Dover is the narrowest section of the English Channel. It separates Britain from mainland Europe and links the Atlantic Ocean with the North Sea.

The strike group is currently on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, which covers Europe and Africa. According to the Navy, its mission is to “support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality, and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and defend U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region.”