HMS Prince of Wales comes into Singapore on 27 June with F-35B fighters and Merlin and Wildcat helicopters on deck. Photo: UK MoD.
The first British aircraft carrier naval task group to enter the Indo-Pacific region in four years has been joined by ships of other navies including a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) destroyer.
HMS Prince of Wales is one of two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers in service with the Royal Navy (RN) and is the UK’s flagship. The ship and its complement of 1600 departed the UK in April for a nearly eight-month deployment to the Pacific under Operation Highmast and has conducted exercises in the Mediterranean and Red seas, and the Indian Ocean.
The QE class displaces 65,000 tonnes and can embark up to 72 aircraft, including 36 Lockheed Martin F-35B fighters from squadrons made up of RN and Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots. It will be the first RN aircraft carrier to visit Australia in almost 30 years.
Unlike most aircraft carriers, the QE class has neither arrestor cables nor catapult launchers. Instead, the F-35B short-takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant takes off with the aid of a ramp or ‘’ski jump’’ on the ship’s bow, and can land vertically using a swivelling tailpipe and centrally mounted lift fan.
The ship also carries helicopters for anti-submarine, logistics and rescue missions, and can accommodate other aircraft that don’t require arrestor or catapult systems, such as the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor.
Other vessels in the task group include the RN destroyer HMS Dauntless, frigate HMS Richmond, patrol vessel HMS Spey and tanker RFA Tidespring, the Norwegian frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen, Spain’s SPS Méndez Núñez, the Royal New Zealand Navy’s HMNZS Te Kaha and the Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Québec.
Although not publicised, it is likely an RN nuclear-powered attack submarine will stay close to the carrier during the deployment as well.
Joining the task group in Singapore this week is the RAN destroyer HMAS Sydney, which will stay for a few weeks, including for operations as part of the massive multinational biennial Exercise Talisman Saber. The exercise will be conducted off Australia’s north and east coasts from 14 July to 4 August.
This comes after a Royal Australian Air Force Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft provided overwatch and aerial support for the task group in the Indian Ocean.
HMAS Sydney (foreground) sails through the South China Sea with HMS Spey in late June. Photo: ADF.
Australia’s Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones welcomed the opportunities for security cooperation during Operation Highmast.
“Deploying from Europe to Australia and sailing throughout the Indo-Pacific represents a significant logistical undertaking that we are proud to support,” he said.
“We value the carrier strike group’s involvement in Exercise Talisman Sabre 25, marking the first time a non-US aircraft carrier has participated in this exercise.
“Operation Highmast presents an opportunity for training and integration of ADF personnel that ensures our respective workforces are prepared to respond to shared challenges.
“Operation Highmast enriches our training and defence engagement with regional partners, specifically Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States.
“The ADF and British Armed Forces share a longstanding defence relationship, providing a strong foundation for our training with the carrier strike group.
“It is a shared value of our two nations to maintain security and stability and adherence to international law to ensure peace and prosperity in our region.”
HMS Prince of Wales’ Commanding Officer Captain Will Blackett said Singapore was the first major port of call and public visit for the task group in the Indo-Pacific.
“We have brilliant people in this ship, and they’ve been working really hard,” he said.
“The UK Carrier Strike Group as a whole is really looking forward to the upcoming port visits. They are vital opportunities to conduct defence diplomacy in support of economic and diplomatic objectives.
“Singapore is an incredible place to be and we have received the warmest welcome … we’re excited to show off the flagship.”
