A demonstration of force: UK to deploy carrier group to the Indo-Pacific
The UK Royal Navy has launched a major eight-month operation, deploying an aircraft carrier group to the Indo-Pacific region alongside NATO and Asian allies.
Here's What We Know
At the centre of the group is the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales with 24 F-35B fighter jets on board. It is accompanied by the British destroyer HMS Dauntless, the frigates HMS Richmond and the Canadian HMCS Ville de Québec, the RFA Tidespring, as well as frigates and support vessels from Norway and Spain.
The aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R09) departs Portsmouth. Image: Royal Navy
The first phase will include exercises with French and Italian forces in the Mediterranean as part of Neptune Strike manoeuvres. The grouping will then travel through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, where it will conduct a series of exercises with the United States, India, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan. It will culminate in participation in the Talisman Saber multinational exercise near Australia.
A total of 2,500 troops will take part in the operation: about 2,100 British, 200 Norwegians and the same number of Canadians and Spaniards. However, the number of personnel will later reach 4,500 for some key exercises when the force reaches the Indo-Pacific region
Source: Royal Navy
