The Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has completed its eight-month global deployment, returning home aboard HMS Prince of Wales and its escort vessels after steaming more than 40,000 nautical miles across the Indo-Pacific, Mediterranean, and beyond.
Led by HMS Prince of Wales, the UK Carrier Strike Group has comprised a core defensive ring of steel, provided by HMS Dauntless (air defense), HMS Richmond, and HNoMS Roald Amundsen (anti-submarine and surface defense).
Credit: Royal Navy
Tanker RFA Tideforce supported the final month of the deployment, while its sister ship RFA Tidespring, provided fuel for the force through three-quarters of the Highmast mission, and Norway’s HNoMS Maud performed tanker duties during the opening weeks.
In all, the strike group comprised warships and support vessels from ten nations, Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the USA, and worked with more than 30, sailing to the western Indo-Pacific; more than half the mission was spent east of Suez.
Fifth-generation F-35B Lightning strike fighters of RAF 617 Squadron (The Dambusters) and the Royal Navy’s 809 Naval Air Squadron have provided the fast jet firepower, with up to 26 jets embarked at points.
They have been supported by Merlin and Wildcat helicopters from 814, 815, 820, and 845 Naval Air Squadrons, plus drones from 700X, “pushing the boundaries” of uncrewed air operations, in particular transferring supplies between ships in the group. The jets, helicopters, and drone/uncrewed aircraft have flown more than 2,500 sorties in support of the deployment
They returned home with the UK Carrier Strike Group concept declared fully operational.
“The Strike Group has come home stronger for NATO than it departed and I am incredibly proud of all those who have taken part in Operation Highmast,” said Commodore James Blackmore , the Commander UK Carrier Strike Group.
The successful completion of Operation Highmast, one of the largest and longest deployments undertaken by the Royal Navy in recent years, demonstrates the UK’s ability to project naval power across oceans, sustain high‑tempo operations and integrate with international partners. The strike group’s return strengthens the UK’s readiness and reaffirms its commitment to maritime security under NATO.