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The Royal Navy flagship, HMS Prince of Wales, has commenced a significant operational deployment, potentially navigating the sensitive Taiwan Strait, a route sometimes avoided due to the risk of upsetting China. The Carrier Strike Group (CSG), an asset estimated to be worth £3 billion, comprising British, Norwegian, and Canadian warships, departed Portsmouth for an eight-month tour focusing on the Indo-Pacific region.
Potential Transit Through the Taiwan Strait
While the precise itinerary for ‘Operation Highmast’ has not been publicly declared by the UK Government, the Royal Navy has confirmed that transit through the 180km-wide Taiwan Strait remains a viable option.
The potential passage through the strait follows recent actions by the Chinese military. Earlier this month, China conducted live-fire exercises in the waterway. These drills were interpreted as simulating assaults on crucial ports and energy installations, contributing to the perception that Beijing might be preparing for a comprehensive invasion of Taiwan.
Commander’s Perspective on the Mission
Despite the geopolitical sensitivities, senior officers aboard the 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier have affirmed their readiness to undertake any route deemed necessary for the operation.
Commodore James Blackmore, who commands the UK Carrier Strike Group, indicated to the Telegraph that the Navy expects to operate in the Indo-Pacific area in the coming months with the primary goal of upholding international order, even in the face of potential friction.
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He stated: “I am prepared to execute whichever mission I am directed to undertake – that is my function. My responsibility involves ensuring readiness for all circumstances, encompassing combat capability, defence engagement, and cooperation with partners and allies. I am thus prepared to carry out whatever the Government or the Ministry of Defence requests.”
“A core purpose of being in the region is supporting international order. This demonstrates our commitment to that principle while reassuring our partners and allies. The selection of my routing will be made at a higher governmental level. However, I can assure everyone that I am ready to perform whatever routing and mission I am assigned.”
Composition and Scale of the Deployment
As the largest vessel in the Royal Navy fleet, HMS Prince of Wales is leading CSG 25. The deployment involves approximately 2,500 personnel from the Royal Navy, 592 from the Royal Air Force, and 900 from the Army.
Accompanying Vessels
Initially departing with HMS Prince of Wales from Portsmouth Naval Base is the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless. They will later be joined by:
- Two Norwegian vessels: tanker HNoMS Maud and frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen
- UK frigate HMS Richmond
- Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec (both sailing from Plymouth)
Personnel and Exercises
Later in the deployment, exercises in the Indo-Pacific region are expected to involve as many as 4,500 military personnel. Forces from Norway, Canada, Spain, and roughly nine other nations are scheduled to participate in various operations.
This represents the second CSG deployment to the Indo-Pacific, following the mission led by HMS Prince of Wales’ sister ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, in 2021. During that earlier deployment, the group avoided sailing through the Taiwan Strait to minimize potential tensions with China.
Geopolitical Context and Regional Challenges
UK-China Relations
The deployment occurs amid gradually improving UK-China relations under the current government. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the Chief of the Defence Staff, recently held discussions with members of China’s central military commission.
Furthermore, Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited Beijing earlier this year, a trip that drew criticism from some Members of Parliament advocating for a firmer stance against China. Should the Carrier Strike Group bypass the strait during this deployment, it could potentially fuel further criticism from those who perceive the government as prioritising trade relations over asserting international norms.
Threats in Other Waterways
The group could also encounter hostile actions when transiting the Bab-el-Mandeb strait in the Red Sea, where Houthi militants have been attacking both merchant and naval vessels.
Cdre Blackmore assured that the task force possesses the capability to strike if required and is prepared to defend itself if necessary.
Official Statements on the Mission
Cdre Blackmore commented that the deployment serves as a clear signal to potential adversaries, demonstrating that “the UK possesses a capable and credible capability in its UK Carrier Strike Group if needed.” He added, “We stand as one of the limited number of nations capable of convening such a broad array of international partners, which in itself is a demonstration of heightened commitment.”
Defence Secretary John Healey described the mission as an “immensely complex operation,” sending “a potent message of deterrence to any adversary.” He further stated, “This presents a unique chance for the UK to collaborate closely with our partners and allies in a deployment that both illustrates our dedication to security and stability and offers an opportunity to bolster our economy and promote British trade and exports.”