British F-35s return to UK after taking part in Nato's biggest post-Cold War exercise

The UK Carrier Strike Group's (CSG) F-35B Lightning jets have returned to the UK after time on Nato's biggest exercise since the Cold War.

The combat aircraft returned to RAF Marham from the deck of HMS Prince of Wales, who led the CGS for the multinational drills.

Joint Warrior, the UK-led part of the exercise, involved the simulation of surface, air and land scenarios to evaluate the collaborative capabilities of Nato nations and allied partners when responding to hostilities in home waters.

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Aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales was joined by more than 30 ships, four submarines, multiple aircraft – from maritime patrol aircraft to F-35 Lightning jets – and more than 20,000 personnel from nations including Canada, Denmark, France and Spain.

HMS Queen Elizabeth had initially been scheduled to lead the exercise, but she had to withdraw due to an issue with her propeller shaft, leaving HMS Prince of Wales to step in.

Despite being given 30 days' notice, HMS Prince of Wales got ready for deployment in just a week.

Before her deployment, HMS Prince of Wales was in the early stages of a maintenance period when the decision was made to sail her.