The United Kingdom and United States deployed their carrier strike groups to the Indo-Pacific this year, conducting a series of exercises that highlighted the importance of coordination and multinational cooperation.

The capstone of these efforts was Talisman Sabre 2025 (July 13 - August 4), a large-scale exercise off Australia’s northern coast.

Hosted by Australia for the 11th time, this year’s iteration involved 19 nations and more than 40,000 personnel.

Participating countries included Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Norway, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

At the heart of the exercise were two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers: the Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales and the US Navy’s USS George Washington (CVN-73).

The USS George Washington, a Nimitz-class carrier, stretches 333 meters and displaces 104,200 tons, while the HMS Prince of Wales measures over 280 meters and displaces 65,000 tons.

These carriers showcased advanced aviation operations, integrating F-35 fighter jets and allied naval forces across a broad geographic area extending from Darwin to Brisbane in Australia’s Northern Territory and Queensland.

Carrier power and global reach

The HMS Prince of Wales, flagship of the Royal Navy, embarked 18 F-35B jets, the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the US-made Joint Strike Fighter.

Leading the UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG) as part of Operation HIGHMAST, the warship has been on global deployment since leaving Portsmouth in April.

During this operation, it trained with forces from India, NATO allies, and partners across the Middle East and Africa.

The USS George Washington brought its fleet of roughly 90 aircraft, demonstrating the power and operational reach of a US carrier.

Home-ported in Yokosuka, Japan, the carrier remains capable of rapid deployment in response to crises across the Middle East or Indo-Pacific.

Joint operations underscored the interoperability of UK and US carrier groups, particularly through the use of multiple F-35 variants.

The aircraft’s ability to share data in real time, conduct strike missions, and operate from a carrier deck highlighted their versatility and combat effectiveness.

As both carriers continue their Indo-Pacific deployments, their combined presence signals enduring UK-US resolve and emphasizes the strategic importance of a strong allied naval presence in the region.