The much-anticipated deployment of Carrier Strike Group 25 began on April 22, deploying HMS Prince of Wales along with its F-35B-centric air group and accompanying fleet to the Indo-Pacific region.
After many years of preparation, Operation Highmast—the formal designation for the deployment of Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG 25)—marks the first significant Royal Navy mission to the Indo-Pacific region since. 2021's Operation Fortis This time, all the F-35B Lightnings traveling with the strike group will belong to the UK and be operated by British forces, including personnel from both 617 Squadron and 809 Naval Air Squadron (NAS).
According to Navy Lookout , 18 F-35Bs will make up the initial detachment with an increase to 24 planned for later in the deployment. Previous Queen Elizabeth class deployments have seen a maximum of only eight UK jets embarked, making this the largest deployed UK carrier air wing in decades.
Supplementing the F-35B will be the Royal Navy's Merlin and Wildcat helicopters. Merlin HM2s from RNAS Culdrose will provide a highly capable anti-submarine warfare function, and those equipped with the Crowsnest system will comprise the airline's aerial reconnaissance fleet RNLI Yeovilton’s Merlin HC4 helicopters will be available for conducting general utility and logistical missions, whereas the Wildcat HMA2 models will handle operational tasks. Martlet and Sea Venom rockets to help protect the task force from hostile attack.
For the first time, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be deployed aboard HMS Prince of Wales for logistical purposes. The 700X Naval Air Squadron is scheduled to join them onboard. with nine Malloy T-150 drones , capable of moving lightweight cargo among vessels without relying on helicopters or replenishment at sea (RAS) systems. Additionally, they will operate the RQ-20 Puma fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle for tasks related to intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
Global Deployment
HMS Prince of Wales will lead the CSG to locations as distant as Japan and Australia, working with allied forces along the journey. According to current plans, the CSG will take part in Exercise Talisman Sabre In July. Typically a U.S.-Australia drill, the involvement of the British Carrier Strike Group would indicate the UK's dedication to the AUKUS alliance.
Following an initial familiarization phase, the rest of the air wing will board, the accompanying fleet units will assemble, and personnel will have time to acclimate and hone their abilities prior to deploying to regions where incoming threats could very likely turn into serious situations.
There is a possibility that, as with the 2021 deployment, combat operations will be launched as the carrier sails through the Middle East region. In 2021, the target was Daesh in Iraq and Syria – this time it is likely to be Houthi rebels in Yemen. Royal Air Force Typhoons from RAF Akrotiri have taken part in a number of airstrikes, but are constrained by numbers and distance. The co-located Voyager tanker force has, though, aided ongoing U.S. Navy operations with refueling support.
UK Defense Secretary John Healey stated, “This presents an unparalleled chance for the UK to work closely alongside our partners and allies in an operation that underscores our dedication to ensuring security and stability.”
Given that only a handful of countries can manage an operation of such magnitude, the Royal Navy is showcasing that British defense remains robust, contemporary, and prepared to tackle current and future challenges.
He further added that Trade and exports are likewise emphasized in the deployment. , leveraging the significant soft power influence of a 65,000-ton battleship that serves not just as a floating airfield, but also as a mobile embassy .
Commander James Blackmore of the UK Carrier Strike Group states that Operation Highmast will showcase strong deterrence and commitment to supporting NATO as well as upholding the rules-based global order.
Escorting the Carrier
Around 2,500 individuals will set sail with the strike group, which can swell up to 4,500 when large-scale exercises occur throughout certain stages of their voyage. Out of these, approximately 2,100 are from Britain, whereas the rest come from vessels belonging to Norway, Canada, and Spain participating in this mission.
Although the protection of a high value asset like an aircraft carrier is always an important consideration, the journey taken by CSG 25 through the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and into the South China Sea will require exceptional capabilities across all domains. The Red Sea will put into focus the carrier group's air defenses, being a high risk area for one-way attack UAVs, cruise missiles, and even ballistic missiles, launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
As the team gets closer to the region China is interested in, it will inevitably attract notice. Naval Surface Fleet of the People's Liberation Army Navy , along with various types of Chinese military aircraft. Specialist anti-submarine warfare teams will undergo testing as they strive to secure and clear an area for the carrier group’s operations, all while navigational officers on the command deck grapple with charting courses to maintain a safe separation from vessels aiming to collect intelligence.
HMS Prince of Wales will be supported in these tasks by a heavily mixed group of surface and sub-surface escorts. First of all, on Monday Apr. 21, an Astute class nuclear powered attack submarine (SSN), likely HMS Astute (S119) itself, departed HMNB Devonport. The UK Ministry of Defence does not routinely make official comments on the activities of its submarines, so we can only make the assumption, based on noted activities, that this submarine will deploy with the strike group.
Fending off submarines of other nations will be the Royal Navy's battle-proven HMS Richmond (F239), a Type 23 frigate, operates alongside a deployed Merlin HM2 from 814 Naval Air Squadron. Known as the Duke-class, this type of vessel is nearing the end of its operational life; some have even been taken out of service prematurely because of wear and tear. However, through modernization initiatives, these ships continue to be among the top anti-submarine warfare specialists globally. They also feature the effective Sea Ceptor close-in weapon system for defense purposes.
Significantly, Richmond is among the few Type 23 frigates equipped with the new Naval Strike Missile and has additionally received a updated Link 16 tactical datalink enhancement that enables the transmission of data through satellites.
On April 22, Richmond departed from Devonport accompanied by the Canadian Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ville de Québec (FFH 332). Both vessels belong to classes that were built around the same time period, and both are expected to be succeeded in the coming years by the Type 26, known as the River-class destroyer in Canada.
The city of Quebec is bearing this. CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter and is outfitted with Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles for air defense, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, a Phalanx close-in weapons system (CIWS), and 57 mm naval gun.
Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless (D33), fresh from taking part in exercises testing the ship and crew's ability to defend against fast-moving drone attacks The region’s air defense duties will be managed through the use of its Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles, coordinated with the SAMPSON multifunction radar and the S1850M long-range surveillance radar. The integrated system known as Sea Viper has been notably tested under combat conditions multiple times over the Red Sea throughout 2024. shooting down drones and a ballistic missile .
One of the Wildcat HMA2 helicopters will embark on Dauntless for the deployment, together forming a formidable protective capability.
The Spanish AEGIS-equipped air defense frigate ESPS Méndez Núñez (F-104) is scheduled to join the strike group as it approaches the Mediterranean Sea. This ship sports 48 Mark 41 vertical launch system (VLS) cells, able to carry RIM-66 SM-2MR medium range anti-air missiles and quad packed ESSMs.
HNoMS Roald Amundsen (F311), a Fridtjof Nansen class frigate of the Royal Norwegian Navy, completes the tally of combat vessels. Roald Amundsen departed Bergen on the same day HMS Prince of Wales set sail, so will likely rendezvous with the group over the coming days. It is equipped with VLS cells for ESSM, alongside launchers for the Naval Strike Missile, and a 76 mm OTO Melara Super Rapid main gun. A detachment of Royal Navy personnel will embark with the Norwegian crew to run a Wildcat helicopter from the vessel's hangar and flight deck.
Logistics & Air Support
Equally crucial to the task force’s achievement are the support ships RFA Tidespring (A136) and HNoMS Maud (A530). As previously detailed, in a prior article Maud will take over the role of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s designated solid stores ship, which won’t be part of CSG 25 deployment.
Tidespring and Maud will provide fuel for all vessels within the fleet. Despite not being specialized store-ships, these vessels have significant storage capabilities, allowing them to carry substantial amounts of supplies which can later be redistributed using helicopters or drones. By April 22nd, when already out at sea, Tidespring took aboard a Merlin HM2 from 814 Naval Air Squadron as it traveled southward past their home port in Cornwall.
RFA Argus, a versatile vessel designed for casualty reception and aviation training which has undergone upgrades to enhance its capabilities as an interim littoral strike ship , is set to join the CSGC During the later phases of the deployment after completing the refurbishment, Argus was officially incorporated into the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) in 1988. However, it had been actively serving since 1982 under the name MV Commander Bezant when the vessel was commandeered for service during the Falklands War. Its operational life is projected to extend until the 2030s.
Although these vessels can take advantage of numerous friendly harbors throughout their voyage for resupplying purposes, much of this cargo must still be airlifted to and from those ports. Items such as spare parts, letters, and personnel will be delivered via aircraft. ongoing Royal Air Force mission using Voyagers, A400M Atlas C1s, and C-17A Globemaster IIIs.
In 2021’s Operation Fortis, the RAF’s Voyager fleet logged 220 flight hours, moved approximately 1,700 individuals, and dispensed 180 metric tons of fuel via their refueling systems. Additionally, during various stages of this operation, it might be likely for RAF P-8A Poseidon MRA1 aircraft to position themselves strategically to enhance surveillance activities both above and below water surfaces.
The Aviationist Will keep reporting on CSG 25 as it moves through the deployment phase, promising to produce numerous intriguing stories, images, and videos.
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