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4d ago

HMS Prince of Wales Embarks on Eight-Month Global Deployment

The Royal Navy's flagship leads an international Carrier Strike Group to bolster alliances, protect trade routes, and demonstrate military readiness across key regions.

British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales leaves from Portsmouth Naval Base on the south coast of England on April 22, 2025.
HMS Prince of Wales departs for Indo-Pacific. Royal Navy picture.
Image
Molly Plant and William Allen as they prepare to set sail on HMS Prince of Wales (Photo: Molly Blackall/The i Paper)

Overview

  • HMS Prince of Wales departed Portsmouth on April 22, 2025, leading Operation Highmast, an eight-month multinational deployment involving 40 countries.
  • The Carrier Strike Group will participate in NATO exercises off France, collaborate with an Italian-led force in the Mediterranean, and transit through the Red Sea before heading to the Indo-Pacific.
  • The fleet includes UK, Norwegian, and Canadian warships, along with advanced military assets such as 24 F-35B fighter jets, anti-submarine helicopters, and drones.
  • Approximately 2,500 personnel are initially deployed, with numbers rising to 4,500 for major Indo-Pacific exercises, showcasing the UK’s commitment to a rules-based international order.
  • Commodore James Blackmore emphasized readiness for combat operations if required, with the mission underscoring UK deterrence and support for global stability.