With 4.500 troops on board, the United Kingdom launches its largest naval mission of 2025 led by the flagship HMS Prince of Wales in an eight-month operation

Royal Navy flagship sets sail for eight-month operation to strengthen alliances and project British power in the Indo-Pacific

The United Kingdom began its biggest naval mission of 2025 with the departure of HMS Prince of Wales on April 22. The Royal Navy flagship set sail from Portsmouth to lead Operation Highmast, an eight-month mission focused on Indo-Pacific. The aim is to strengthen alliances, increase the British presence in the region and promote global maritime security.

The task force, called Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG25), is commanded by Commodore James Blackmore. It began the mission with about 2.500 personnel, including 2.100 from the United Kingdom, 200 from Norway and other contingents from Canada and Spain.

Over the course of the operation, the group is expected to grow to more than 4.500 soldiers with the addition of new partner forces in joint exercises.

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In addition to HMS Prince of Wales, the task force includes several ships, including the destroyer HMS Dauntless, the frigates HMS Richmond from the United Kingdom and HMCS Ville de Québec from Canada.

Also participating in the mission are the tanker RFA Tidespring and the Norwegian vessels HNoMS Maud and HNoMS Roald Amundsen.

HMS Prince of Wales carries F-35B Lightning II fighter jets, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, drones and other aircraft. Up to 24 jets are expected to operate on board throughout the mission.

The operation also includes exercises with more than 40 countries in different regions, such as the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Japan and Australia.

Among the highlights of the mission is participation in the NATO exercise called Neptune Strike 25. In addition, the group will carry out maneuvers with navies from nations such as Italy, France, Japan, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and the United States.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey said the operation “exemplifies our unwavering commitment to the security and stability of our nation”. According to him, the mission shows that the Royal Navy is “strong, modern and ready to face threats".

The departure of HMS Prince of Wales was marked by an emotional farewell. Thousands of family and supporters gathered in Portsmouth Harbour to witness the start of the mission.

With information from Naval.com.

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