The HMS Prince of Wales carrier and its escorts are expected to participate in the upcoming Talisman Sabre 2025, an Australian-led multinational joint exercise that is scheduled to begin in mid-July.
For only the second time this century, a Royal Navy carrier strike group is operating in the Indo-Pacific as part of Operation Highmast. The flagship aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales transited the Suez Canal on May 25 and then through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on May 30. After making a port call at Duqm in Oman, Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG25), which includes warships from Canada, Spain, and Norway, entered the Indian Ocean earlier this month.
There had been speculation that CSG25 would possibly conduct joint operations with the US Navy, which now has two carriers in the region following Israel’s airstrikes on Iran last week. The Trump administration has pressed Tehran to reach a deal on the state of its nuclear program, and the president called for Iran’s “total surrender” this week. However, instead of supporting US operations, HMS Prince of Wales and her escorts are sticking to the original plan, which includes joint exercises with the Indian Navy.
The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Anzac-class frigate HMNZS Te Kaha joined CSG25 on Tuesday. According to international military analyst firm Janes, this marks the first time a UK Royal Navy CSG has included a New Zealand warship.
A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon surveillance and patrol aircraft conducted a flyover of the strike group this week as part of joint operations, highlighting the close ties and interoperability between London and Canberra.
Where Will the CSG25 Strike Group Deploy?
CSG25’s Operation Highmast began in April, when HMS Prince of Wales departed Portsmouth, England. Since then, the vessel has taken part in exercises in the Mediterranean. The ship is also scheduled to make port calls in Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
“I am delighted that our Carrier Strike Group and 4,000 Service Personnel are now operating in the Indo-Pacific region,” said UK Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard, according to the UK Defence Journal. “This isn’t just about hard power; the upcoming exercises and port visits are about building influence and boosting trade opportunities both for defence and other sectors of our economy.”
This is also the first time a Royal Navy warship that bears the name HMS Prince of Wales has operated in the region since the Second World War, when the King George V-class battleship was sunk off the coast of the Malay Peninsula by land-based Japanese aircraft in December 1941. The aircraft carrier is expected to transit over the waters where the famed battleship now rests.
The carrier and its escorts are expected to participate in the upcoming Talisman Sabre 2025, an Australian-led multinational joint exercise that is scheduled to begin in mid-July. Additionally, the strike group will host the Pacific Future Forum in Japan this summer, a conference that aims to bring regional partners together to discuss defense, technology, and security issues.
The port visits are further intended to support the UK’s “Plan for Change,” which aims to showcase London’s defense exports. The visit to Darwin, Australia, will provide an opportunity for officials to discuss the AUKUS trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“The deployment sends a powerful message that the UK and its allies are committed to security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. It’s a privilege to lead our sailors, marines, soldiers, and aircrew as we demonstrate warfighting capability,” said Commodore James Blackmore, commander of CSG25.
A British F-35B Made An Emergency Landing in India
Although CSG25 didn’t participate in combat operations, it has not been without some drama. On Saturday, a Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, India, after it participated in joint exercises with the Indian Navy.
According to reports, the jet was running low on fuel when permission was requested for the aircraft to land at the civilian airport. The plane landed safely without further incident.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Shutterstock / Martin Lueke.
