Defence Secretary John Healey toured the Royal Navy flagship with Australian Defence MInister and Deputy PM Richard Marles — Defence Secretary John Healey toured the Royal Navy flagship with Australian Defence MInister and Deputy PM Richard Marles (Picture: MOD)

CSG25

In pictures: Defence Secretary visits HMS Prince of Wales in latest stop for CSG25

Defence Secretary John Healey toured the Royal Navy flagship with Australian Defence MInister and Deputy PM Richard Marles — Defence Secretary John Healey toured the Royal Navy flagship with Australian Defence MInister and Deputy PM Richard Marles (Picture: MOD)

It was a show of both political alliances and military collaboration when Defence Secretary John Healey travelled to northern Australia to visit HMS Prince of Wales.

The carrier is currently docked in the city of Darwin, the latest stop on her eight-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific with Carrier Strike Group 25.

While aboard, Mr Healey lauded cooperation between the UK and Australia as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre. "We exercise together, and by exercising together and being more ready to fight, we deter better together," he told the Telegraph.

Mr Healey shared a lighthearted moment with some Australian service personnel while aboard HMS Prince of Wales. — Mr Healey shared a lighthearted moment with some Australian service personnel while aboard HMS Prince of Wales (Picture: MOD)

The visitors discuss the airpower on display in the shape of the F-35Bs from 617 Squadron — The visitors discuss the airpower on display in the shape of the F-35Bs from 617 Squadron (Picture: MOD)

HMS Prince of Wales arrives into the Port of Darwin, Northern Territory during Exercise Talisman Sabre — Much of Exercise Talisman Sabre is centred around the Northern Territory, with elements also taking place in Queensland and New South Wales (Picture: Australian defence ministry)

Members of the ship's company form a guard of honour with bayonets fixed to their SA80 L85 rifles — Members of the ship's company form a guard of honour with bayonets fixed to their SA80 L85 rifles (Picture: MOD)

A number of Royal Australian Navy officers were keen to come aboard and see the carrier for themselves — A number of Royal Australian Navy officers were keen to come aboard and see the carrier for themselves (Picture: MOD)

Mr Healey even got to throw a few darts during a visit to the Warrant Officers' and Senior Ranks' mess aboard the flagship — Mr Healey even got to throw a few darts during a visit to the Warrant Officers' and Senior Ranks' mess aboard the flagship (Picture: MOD)

The dignitaries were welcomed to the vessel by some pipers from the Brigade of Gurkhas — The dignitaries were welcomed to the vessel by some pipers from the Brigade of Gurkhas (Picture: MOD)

Healey and Marles with Merlins on the flight deck of the HMS Prince of Wales. — In addition to the F-35B Lightnings, Mr Healey and Mr Marles also saw the carrier's Merlin Mk2 s on the flight deck (Picture: MOD)

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