A formidable naval force composed of the aircraft carriers USS George Washington (CVN-73) of the United States Navy and HMS Prince of Wales (R09) of the British Royal Navy is conducting joint operations in the Timor Sea as part of Talisman Sabre 2025, the largest military exercise ever carried out on Australian soil.
This marks the first time that carriers from both nations operate together since the start of this multinational exercise in 2005. Talisman Sabre, held biennially off the coast of Australia, involves 35,000 troops from 19 countries in this edition, deployed across the Northern Territory and Queensland, from Darwin to Brisbane.
The dual-carrier operation in the Timor Sea—located between Australia, Timor-Leste, and Indonesia—represents a powerful display of allied commitment to collective security in the Indo-Pacific region. In addition to fixed-wing aircraft, both carriers are operating fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets. The George Washington hosts squadron VFA-147 “Argonauts” flying F-35Cs, while the Prince of Wales deploys 17 F-35Bs, following a temporary reduction due to weather conditions that left one aircraft stranded in India.
The combined force includes a diverse array of warships and logistics support vessels. Accompanying USS George Washington are the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) and the destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86). The UK contributes HMS Prince of Wales, the destroyer HMS Dauntless (D33), and the support ship RFA Tidespring (A136).
Close allied partners are also involved: the Australian destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG-42), Norwegian frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen (F311), Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Québec (FFH-332), and although the New Zealand frigate HMNZS Te Kaha (F77) has detached from the British group, it will continue participating in exercises under New Zealand command.
Talisman Sabre 2025 goes beyond naval operations. British commando units are involved, along with a battalion of Army Rangers, RAF Voyager aircraft, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, electronic warfare and cyber defense specialists, military medical units, and even elements from UK Space Command deployed in Australia.
For the USS George Washington, this is its first major bilateral exercise since its return to Japan. Meanwhile, the UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG) is in the midst of Operation Highmast, a deployment spanning from the Mediterranean to the Indo-Pacific, with plans to continue on to Japan for additional exercises with U.S. and Japanese forces.
As the task force patrols northern Australian waters, amphibious operations are taking place simultaneously in Queensland, particularly in Shoalwater Bay, over 600 kilometers north of Brisbane.
The combined carrier presence symbolizes not only increased military interoperability, but also a clear strategic message: the Indo-Pacific region is essential to global stability, and the allies stand united in their readiness to defend it.
Images courtesy of the Royal Navy.
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