Portuguese 
Spanish 
Royal Navy Flagship Departs For Eight-Month Operation That Reinforces Alliances And Projects British Power In The Indo-Pacific
The United Kingdom has commenced its largest naval mission of 2025 with the departure of HMS Prince of Wales on April 22. The flagship of the Royal Navy set sail from Portsmouth to lead Operation Highmast, an eight-month mission focused on the Indo-Pacific. The objective is to reinforce alliances, increase British presence in the region, and promote global maritime security.
The task force, named Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG25), is commanded by Commodore James Blackmore. It began the mission with around 2,500 personnel, including 2,100 from the UK, 200 from Norway, and other contingents from Canada and Spain.
Throughout the operation, the group is expected to grow to over 4,500 personnel with the addition of new partner forces in joint exercises.
-
The U.S. Navy Conducts Submarine Tests in Idaho Lake to Detect Underwater Noises Hidden by the Ocean
-
Nuclear Submarine USS Alexandria Retired After 35 Years, Having Completed Over 1 Million Miles in Missions
-
MODEC Introduces New Hull Design for FPSO Gato do Mato to Produce Up to 120,000 Barrels of Oil Per Day in Brazil’s Pre-Salt Region
-
This Massive 12-Meter, 21-Ton Underwater Drone Can Operate Autonomously for Up to Five Days
In addition to HMS Prince of Wales, the task force includes several ships. Among them are destroyer HMS Dauntless, frigates HMS Richmond from the UK, and HMCS Ville de Québec from Canada.
Also part of the mission are the tanker RFA Tidespring and the Norwegian vessels HNoMS Maud and HNoMS Roald Amundsen.
HMS Prince of Wales transports F-35B Lightning II fighters, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, drones, and other aircraft. Up to 24 jets are expected to operate aboard throughout the mission.
The operation also includes exercises with over 40 countries in various regions, such as the Mediterranean, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Australia.
Among the highlights of the mission is participation in the NATO exercise called Neptune Strike 25. Additionally, the group will conduct maneuvers with the navies of nations such as Italy, France, Japan, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and the United States.
The UK Secretary of Defense, John Healey, stated that the operation “exemplifies our unwavering commitment to the security and stability of our nation.” According to him, the mission demonstrates 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 members and supporters gathered at the port of Portsmouth to witness the start of the mission.
With information from Naval.com.
