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From onboard HMS Prince of Wales – the lead of The UK Carrier Strike Group (UK CSG), the RAF will conduct exercises with allies worldwide.
According to a RAF News Release, Operation Highmast represents how UK defence is committed to embracing innovation and advanced technology, while reinforcing the importance of multinational collaboration. It is a unique opportunity to train and develop military interoperability and how allied forces can integrate their assets to advance global security. This deployment, characterised by the presence of world-class vessels alongside fifth-generation aircraft, marks a significant advancement in the Lightning programme.
“This Operation is a key milestone for the Lightning programme, highlighting our progress towards achieving full operational capability for the F-35 in the UK. By deploying two F-35 Squadrons, we are enhancing our ability to effectively support our allies in the region,” said Group Captain John Butcher Lightning Air Wing Commander.
The sophisticated capabilities of the F-35B Lightning will be prominently on display during this deployment. The aircraft’s ability to operate in any location on land or at sea allows for a diverse range of multi-role missions, including air-to-surface strikes, electronic warfare, intelligence gathering, and air-to-air operations.
“This deployment underscores our commitment to collaboration with our Royal Navy counterparts, emphasising our shared objective of operating cohesively as a joint force,” Butcher added.
The CSG’s participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre, a significant multinational exercise hosted by Australia with the involvement of 19 nations, will further highlight the UK’s dedication to security in the Indo-Pacific.
This deployment marks the most ambitious undertaking by the UK CSG since the HMS Queen Elizabeth’s global voyage in 2021, as HMS Prince of Wales prepares to lead Operation Highmast. The mission will navigate the Mediterranean, Middle East, Indian Ocean, and Pacific, conducting high-end exercises with significant allies globally.
“Our collective goal is clear: to prepare for Operation Highmast, which will highlight our global Carrier Strike reach and our commitment to collaborating effectively with two UK frontline F-35 squadrons,” Maria Eagle, Defence Minister, said.
HMS Prince of wales is a Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier and it is one of the most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK.
Her flight deck is 70 metres wide and 280 metres long – enough space for three football pitches – and she holds 45 days’ worth of food in stores.
She will have a crew complement (minimum crew) of around 700, increasing to around 1,600 with aircraft onboard.
HMS Prince of Wales’ size and scope is awe-inspiring – she can embark 36 F-35B and four Merlin Helicopters.
HMS Prince of Wales’ crew will have an expansive range of skills, so she will be able to meet the widest range of tasks around the world, including:
Photo credit: Crown Copyright
Military Aviation
