In an official statement issued yesterday, the British Ministry of Defence confirmed that the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales will begin its deployment from Portsmouth to the Indo-Pacific at the end of the month. This mission aims to strengthen military and commercial ties with multiple allies in the region. The ship will first join its Strike Group off the coast of Cornwall and then head to the Mediterranean to conduct preparatory exercises with European allies.
According to UK Defence Secretary John Healey: “This is a unique opportunity for the UK to operate closely with our partners and allies in a deployment that not only demonstrates our commitment to security and stability but also provides a chance to strengthen our own economy and boost British trade and exports.”
Focusing on the specifics of the operation—officially named Highmast—approximately 4,000 British personnel from all three services will be involved over an eight-month period (about 2,500 from the Royal Navy, 900 from the British Army, and 592 from the Royal Air Force). British assets taking part include up to 24 F-35B stealth fighters, the new Malloy T-150 cargo drones for resupply flights between ships, the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, the Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond, an Astute-class submarine, and the RFA Tidespring support vessel.
Additionally, the deployment will be supported by allied elements from Canada, Spain, and Norway. Canada is expected to contribute the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec (FFH 332), Spain will send the Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate Méndez Núñez (F-104), and Norway will deploy HNoMS Roald Amundsen and HNoMS Maud.
During the Mediterranean phase of the deployment, the task group will be placed under NATO command and participate in Exercise Neptune Strike, which will test high-end maritime strike capabilities. The group will then transit through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea en route to the Indian Ocean. It remains unclear whether the British ships will participate in US-led operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have been attacking merchant vessels and escorts in nearby waters.
Once in the Indo-Pacific, the carrier and its escorts will conduct a series of major exercises and port visits with UK regional partners, including India, Singapore, and Malaysia. Later, they are expected to join Exercise Talisman Sabre off the coast of Australia, providing an opportunity to operate alongside forces from over 19 nations. The group will also sail near Japanese waters, where training is planned with elements of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
According to Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard, the deployment of “our Carrier Strike Group and 4,000 service personnel, shows that we will stand firm alongside our allies against those who challenge the international order. It reminds the world that Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security are fundamentally indivisible. This is not just about hard power; it’s about influence and creating new trade opportunities—for defence and other sectors of our economy—that generate jobs and growth for Britain.”
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