UK Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Prince of Wales forms for Exercise Strike Warrior

A Royal Navy task group has gathered in the North Sea ready to complete preparations for a significant deployment next year.

The UK Carrier Strike Group, with HMS Prince of Wales at its helm, is off the Scottish coast for Exercise Strike Warrior which will confirm the task force is ready for operations.

This exercise serves as a crucial step leading up to the Carrier Strike Group 25 deployment which will see British warships, support vessels and jets across the globle.

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The deployment will be the first mission of its kind since HMS Queen Elizabeth's historic 49,000-mile journey to Japan and back in 2021.

Currently, F-35B Lightning jets, frigates, destroyers, submarines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers, and helicopters are in the North Sea to hone their skills whilst operating together.

This comprehensive training is designed to ensure that the task group is prepared to meet any operational demands that may arise in the coming years.

Warships from several other Nato nations, including Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, have set sail from Glasgow for the exercise.

The Dutch frigate HNLMS Van Amstel was the first to depart.

The Royal Navy's HMS Prince of Wales leads the British contingent, accompanied by escort ships HMS Dauntless, HMS Portland and HMS Iron Duke.

An Astute-class submarine is also taking part in the exercise.

RFA Tidespring supports the fleet, while the destroyer USS McFaul represents the US Navy.

Additionally, Standing Nato Maritime Group One is involved with vessels from allied nations, including the Norwegian oiler HNoMS Maud, the Dutch frigate NRP D Francisco De Almeida and light cruiser HNLMS De Ruyter, the Belgian frigate BNS Louise-Marie and the German corvette FGS Magdeburg.

Earlier this year, the Royal Navy played a key role in Nato's largest exercise, Fast Defender, involving eight warships and more than 2,000 personnel.