CSG25 passes to Nato command in the Mediterranean as first exercise phase ends

The Carrier Strike Group (CSG25) has finished the first stage of its eight-month deployment.

Led by the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, the strike group was able to successfully show war-fighting capabilities and an ability to counter maritime threats during the ongoing Operation Highmast, sending a powerful deterrence message.

CSG25 has now ended Exercise Neptune Strike, shifting from the UK to Nato Command as it moves into the Mediterranean region.

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Posting on X, the crew of HMS Richmond, part of CSG25, said: "We have been fully tested during simulated war.

"Fires, floods, casualties and battle damage were all dealt with as the warfare teams fought through."

The previous night, HMS Richmond posted images of the ship on exercise with the Norwegian navy.

"Barely a week into its deployment, the Carrier Strike Group is already demonstrating both the military power that keeps us safe at home and our close integration with allies that means we’re strong abroad," said Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard.

"Over the next eight months, the UK-led task group will further showcase our global network of partnerships and alliances, none more crucial to our security than Nato."

Exercise Neptune Strike was the first in a series of Nato activities that the CSG25 will join while in the Mediterranean and Atlantic – part of Nato's mission to maintain security in the Euro-Atlantic area and working towards a large-scale exercise at the end of Op Highmast.

CGS25 has also been taking part in Exercise Med Strike, a joint exercise with the Italian navy in the Mediterranean which brings together two carrier strike groups, 21 warships, three submarines, 41 fast jets, 19 helicopters and 10 patrol aircraft.

Twelve countries are taking part in Carrier Strike Group 25 deployment, which will last eight months.

During this time, CSG25 is set to conduct a series of exercises and operations with air, sea and land with allies in the Mediterranean, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Japan and Australia.

More than 4,500 British military personnel are involved, including almost 600 RAF, 900 soldiers, and 2,500 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines.