Operation Highmast 25 marks the United Kingdom’s most ambitious Carrier Strike Group (CSG) deployment since HMS Queen Elizabeth’s global voyage in 2021.

Over an eight-month mission, HMS Prince of Wales leads a force of nearly 4,000 personnel through the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and Indo-Pacific.

The deployment spans 26,000 nautical miles and includes more than 60 multinational exercises and operations, with direct participation from 12 nations and support from many others.

Cutting-edge air power at sea

A centerpiece of the deployment is the operation of two full squadrons of F-35B Lightning II fighters.

The Royal Air Force’s 617 Squadron "Dambusters" and the Royal Navy’s 809 Naval Air Squadron "Immortals" together field 18 F-35Bs from the HMS Prince of Wales’ flight deck.

The F-35B, the first supersonic short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) fighter, is designed for carrier operations, giving the strike group a flexible and formidable air wing.

The carrier can host up to 36 F-35Bs, supported by four medium-lift Merlin helicopters, which provide anti-submarine, airborne early warning, and anti-surface warfare capabilities.

Wildcat helicopters further enhance reconnaissance, force protection, and anti-surface missions.

Protecting this air wing is a robust escort force:

Type 45 destroyers deliver area air defense with Sea Viper missiles and advanced radar.

Type 23 frigates provide anti-submarine warfare with towed array sonar and shipborne helicopters.

An Astute-class submarine adds stealth, surveillance, and strike power with Tomahawk cruise missiles and heavyweight torpedoes.

Together, these assets give the CSG layered protection against air, surface, and undersea threats.

A demonstration of global reach

Operation Highmast underscores the UK’s ability to project carrier-based power globally and safeguard freedom of navigation in strategic waterways.

Along the journey, British forces are conducting joint exercises and engagements with partners such as the United States, Australia, Japan, India, and New Zealand.

These exercises highlight the interoperability of allied forces, allowing the UK to share expertise and strengthen multinational cooperation.

Each partner nation contributes unique capabilities, from strategic cultures to advanced fleets, enriching the collective effort.

In a demonstration of cross-alliance integration, US Marine Corps F-35Bs operated from HMS Prince of Wales during the Pacific leg of the deployment in July and August 2025.

This collaboration reinforced the close partnership between the UK and US armed forces in carrier strike operations.

By the end of its 26,000-mile journey, Operation Highmast 25 will stand as a powerful testament to the Royal Navy’s ability to operate globally, enhance collective security, and strengthen bonds with allies across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.