HMS Prince of Wales to lead Carrier Strike Group 25 to bolster European security

Preparations are in full swing as the Royal Navy's flagship prepares to deploy to the Indo-Pacific - this time with an all-British contingent of F-35B jets.

HMS Prince of Wales will spearhead Carrier Strike Group 25 - also known as Operation Highmast - a multinational exercise involving the UK and 12 partner nations, aimed at strengthening European security in the region. 

The aircraft carrier is scheduled to sail from Portsmouth on 22 April, where she will join a formation of warships, supply ships and aircraft off the coast of Cornwall. 

• Carrier Strike Group to trial drones for delivering supplies during Far East deployment
• HMS Monmouth sold to Turkey for recycling after 28 years of Royal Navy service
• Prime Minister appoints Sir Stephen Lovegrove as special representative on Aukus

Around 2,500 personnel from the Royal Navy and 592 from the Royal Air Force will be involved in the eight-month deployment, which will deliver trade events in Singapore, Japan and India, promoting Britain's industry.

Defence Secretary John Healey thanked those involved with the preparations and said the operation would provide a boost to the economy. 

"This is a unique opportunity for the UK to operate in close coordination with our partners and allies in a deployment that not only shows our commitment to security and stability, but also provides an opportunity to bolster our own economy and boost British trade and exports," he said.

"As one of only a handful of countries in the world able to lead a deployment of this scale, the Royal Navy is once again demonstrating its formidable capability while protecting British values and sending a powerful message of deterrence to any adversary."

Norway will also be providing a warship, and Canada and Spain are among the other nations providing support.

Up to 24 F-35B Lightning jets will embark on board HMS Prince of Wales, and this time all will be from the Royal Navy and RAF, while last year's complement was bolstered by US Marine Corps Lightnings.

The CSG will initially be placed under Nato command as it joins Exercise Neptune Strike.

It will then transit through the Indian Ocean, conducting exercises and port visits with partners, including the US, India, Singapore and Malaysia, before joining 19 partner nations for Exercise Talisman Sabre near Australia.

A maritime strike force of this size is composed of multiple types of ship, frigates, destroyers, submarines and supply ships to support logistics.

This year's deployment is also the first time there has been no US Navy escort.

Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said the operation would create new trade opportunities and deliver jobs.

"Through this deployment of our Carrier Strike Group and 4,000 service personnel, we will stand firm with our allies against those who challenge the international order," he said.

"Reminding the world that the security of the Euro Atlantic and Indo-Pacific are fundamentally indivisible.

"This isn't just about hard power – it's about building influence and opening new trade opportunities both for defence and other sectors of our economy, which will deliver British jobs and growth."