The HMS Prince of Wales, the UK’s £3bn aircraft carrier, sets sail on a significant eight-month deployment to demonstrate the Royal Navy’s military strength and global reach.
The £3bn HMS Prince of Wales has departed from Portsmouth, marking the beginning of one of its biggest deployments yet. The 65,000-tonne warship will take part in exercises demonstrating the UK’s ability to operate fast jets at sea and carry out large-scale military operations across multiple regions.
The HMS Prince of Wales is a Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier operated by the Royal Navy.
Commissioned in December 2019, it is the second of three carriers to be built for the UK's aircraft carrier program.
The ship has a length of 920 feet and a beam of 230 feet, with a displacement of approximately 65,000 tons when fully loaded.
It features two advanced catapults and four arrestor wires to launch and recover F-35B Lightning II fighter jets.
Up to 24 of the latest F-35B stealth jets will join the carrier as it leads a multi-national fleet of warships to 40 countries across the Mediterranean, Middle East, south-east Asia, Japan, and Australia. The Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which includes the Portsmouth destroyer HMS Dauntless, Plymouth frigate HMS Richmond, and warships from Norway, Canada, and other NATO members, will be commanded by Commodore James Blackmore.
On board the HMS Prince of Wales will be the RAF’s 617 squadron, also known as The Dambusters, and 809 Naval Air Squadron The Immortals. This air wing will embark the largest number of aircraft ever on a single ship in its history, with over 1,600 military personnel from the Royal Navy, almost 600 from the RAF, and about 900 from the British Army taking part in the exercises.
The HMS Prince of Wales will be deployed for eight months, during which time it will participate in various exercises and operations. The mission is called Operation Highmast, and Commodore Blackmore emphasized the importance of agility in responding to changing global events. ‘Agility allows me at any moment to undertake other operations if called upon,’ he explained.
Operation Highjump was a United States Navy operation that took place from August 1946 to April 1947.
Led by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, the expedition aimed to explore the Antarctic region and assess its potential for future scientific research.
The operation involved six ships, including the USS Mount Olympus, and over 1,000 personnel.
During the expedition, scientists conducted extensive research on geology, biology, and meteorology, while also conducting aerial surveys of the continent.
Able Seaman James South from Brighton expressed excitement and apprehension about his first long deployment away from home, while Able Seaman Molly Plant from Cornwall noted that the deployment is a significant undertaking for the crew. Despite the challenges, the crew remains committed to their mission and looks forward to the opportunities it will bring.
The HMS Prince of Wales’s eight-month deployment marks an important milestone in the Royal Navy‘s capabilities and global reach. With its state-of-the-art aircraft and multi-national fleet, the ship is poised to demonstrate the UK’s world-leading military strength while protecting British values and sending a powerful message of deterrence to any adversary.
The Royal Navy is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force.
With a history dating back to the 16th century, it is one of the oldest and most respected navies in the world.
The Royal Navy has played a significant role in global conflicts, including World War I and II, and has been involved in various peacekeeping missions.
As of 2022, the Royal Navy operates over 70 ships, including aircraft carriers, submarines, and destroyers.
Its primary bases are located in Portsmouth and Plymouth, England.
