Photos Show British Aircraft Carrier Reaching Indo-Pacific Waters
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales arrived in Indo-Pacific waters after passing through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, as part of the Royal Navy flagship's deployment.
The goal of the eight-month deployment is to reaffirm the United Kingdom's commitment to security in the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific regions, the Royal Navy said on Tuesday.
Why It Matters
The Houthis—an Iran-backed armed group in Yemen—halted attacks in the Red Sea following a deal with the United States. Both sides exchanged fire in the crucial waterway from March to early May.
The British aircraft carrier HMS "Prince of Wales" transits the Suez Canal toward the Red Sea on May 24, 2025.
The British aircraft carrier HMS "Prince of Wales" transits the Suez Canal toward the Red Sea on May 24, 2025.
U.K. Ministry of Defense
What To Know
The Prince of Wales left its home port in southern England in late April for a mission known as Operation Highmast. This will take the aircraft carrier to the Western Pacific Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Middle East for joint war games with U.K. allies and partners.
The naval strike group led by the Prince of Wales completed what the Royal Navy called a safe passage through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, arriving in the Indian Ocean from the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, marking the next stage of its global deployment.
The Norwegian frigate HNoMS "Roald Amundsen," front, transits the Red Sea with the United States destroyer USS "Truxtun" on May 31, 2025.
The Norwegian frigate HNoMS "Roald Amundsen," front, transits the Red Sea with the United States destroyer USS "Truxtun" on May 31, 2025.
U.K. Ministry of Defense
Officially released photos show that the U.K. Carrier Strike Group, which includes multiple British, Canadian, Norwegian, and Spanish naval vessels, completed the transit in late May. A U.S. destroyer, USS Truxtun, was also seen sailing with the strike group in the Red Sea.
The presence of the Truxtun complicates any potential Houthi attempts to target non-U. S. ships within the carrier strike group, the specialist outlet The Maritime Executive said. The U.S. destroyer also operated alongside the Prince of Wales in the Mediterranean last month.
The Royal Navy did not disclose whether the carrier strike group conducted any operations, including escorting shipping, while in the Red Sea, the specialist outlet Navy Lookout noted.
During its transit in the Red Sea, the Prince of Wales launched its F-35B stealth fighter jets, according to photos released by the Royal Navy. These aircraft are designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, as well as intelligence gathering and electronic warfare missions.
Before departing Europe, the U.K. Carrier Strike Group conducted a naval exercise with the Italian Carrier Strike Group in the Ionian Sea, south of Italy, the Royal Navy said. The drill involved 21 warships, three submarines, 41 fighter jets, 19 helicopters, and 10 patrol aircraft.
What People Are Saying
U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said on April 22: "As one of only a few nations capable of leading a deployment of this scale, the Royal Navy is once again demonstrating that U.K. defense is strong, modern, and ready to meet the threats of today and tomorrow."
Commodore James Blackmore, commander of the U.K. Carrier Strike Group, said on April 22: "Working closely with partners from across the globe, Operation Highmast will demonstrate credible deterrence and our support to NATO and the rules-based international order."
The British aircraft carrier HMS "Prince of Wales" launches an F-35B fighter jet while transiting the Red Sea on May 26, 2025.
The British aircraft carrier HMS "Prince of Wales" launches an F-35B fighter jet while transiting the Red Sea on May 26, 2025.
U.K. Ministry of Defense
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether the Prince of Wales will have the opportunity to operate with American aircraft carriers when it reaches the Western Pacific Ocean during its deployment.
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