As part of Operation Highmast, the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R09) continues its journey through the Indo-Pacific in what constitutes the largest British naval deployment of the year. Following its historic visit to Australia—the first by a Royal Navy aircraft carrier since 1997—and its participation in the multinational exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, the flagship of the Royal Navy has resumed its northward voyage, conducting air and naval operations alongside regional allies. In this context, the vessel carried out a complex replenishment operation at sea conducted by the United States Navy, which included fuel, ammunition, supplies, and logistical support.
The maneuver, known as Replenishment at Sea (RAS), was carried out in the Philippine Sea and marked a milestone for the Queen Elizabeth-class. For the first time since its departure from the United Kingdom in April, HMS Prince of Wales received not only fuel but also solid provisions: food, spare parts, equipment, and ammunition. The operation combined fuel replenishment from the tanker RFA Tidespring (A136) on the port side, and the transfer of ammunition and supplies via the U.S. Navy logistics ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) on the starboard side, also marking the first time that a U.S. Navy T-AKE-class vessel has conducted such a transfer to a British aircraft carrier.
The significance of this operation lies not only in its unprecedented nature but also in its tactical and logistical complexity. It was the first “double RAS” carried out by Prince of Wales—that is, a simultaneous replenishment maneuver from two different ships—while maintaining a high operational tempo. All of this took place in parallel with flight operations of F-35B Lightning II fighter jets and helicopters from the carrier’s flight deck, demonstrating the Royal Navy’s ability to sustain combat and training operations without the need to interrupt its mission.
In this regard, the Task Group’s Logistics Officer, Commander Mathew Gee, stated: “The power and importance of logistics are demonstrated in operations like this. Sustaining a ship at sea, with simultaneous resupply of fuel, food, and ammunition without relying on port infrastructure, is key to maintaining pace, reach, and operational readiness.”
This replenishment takes place as Prince of Wales prepares for a series of joint activities with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter carrier JS Kaga (DDH-184). The British F-35Bs, belonging to the Royal Air Force’s 617 Squadron and the 809 Naval Air Squadron, are scheduled to participate in cross-deck operations with Kaga, as part of Japan’s process of incorporating its first F-35Bs and deploying them from the Izumo-class vessels. These actions are part of an interoperability agenda that strengthens cooperation among allied forces and reinforces the British presence in the region.
Operation Highmast, with an estimated duration of seven months, involves more than 4,500 British personnel, including 2,500 sailors and Royal Marines, nearly 600 members of the Royal Air Force, and around 900 British Army soldiers. Since its departure, the Task Group has crossed the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean, visiting key ports and conducting exercises with a dozen participating nations.
Image credits: United Kingdom Royal Navy.
You may also like: The F-35Bs from the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales will train alongside the Japanese helicopter carrier JS Kaga
