Carrier Strike Group

Admiral Levchenko with HMS Duncan (left) and HMS St Albans (right).

Putin’s ships shadowed by Royal Navy in 72-hour operation

HMS Duncan returned to Portsmouth on Friday, July 24, 2026, after completing phase one of Operation Firecrest.

HMS Duncan leaves base for first time since Nato deployment

HMS Prince of Wales during Enhanced Vigilance Activity, Neptune Strike. Photo by AS1 Phoebe Hambrook

"Determination and capability of Royal Navy on show" as ships return

Pictured from L: HMS Duncan, French Destroyer, HMS Somerset, HMS Prince of Wales and RFA Tidespring with two F35Bs flying over. The UK Carrier Strike Group is currently in the midst of Exercise Neptune Strike.

What is HMS Prince of Wales doing? UKCSG 'full steam ahead'

The government has been criticised after it was revealed that no new F35 fighter jets will be procured this decade. They were currently being used extensively as part of Operation Firecrest on HMS Prince of Wales.

No new jets for HMS Prince of Wales will arrive this decade

A pilot from 820 NAS greets his daughters.820 Naval Air Squadron return home from Cyprus to family at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose

Royal Navy helicopters home as air defence mission of Cyprus ends

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis undertakes media engagements as he attends an Armed Forces Day event in Aldershot, Hampshire

Defence minister visits sailors aboard flagship HMS Prince of Wales

Captain Christopher Ansell RN pleaded not guilty of rape and other offences Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, this morning (June 18).

Former HMS Queen Elizabeth second-in-command denies raping woman

HMS Prince of Wales has left Scotland and will be taking on exercises in North Atlantic alongside fellow Royal Navy ship HMS Duncan.

HMS Prince of Wales to deal with intense 'swarm attack' on upcoming op

Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales leaving Portsmouth on April 24, bound for sea trials. She will soon be taking part in Operation Firecrest.

HMS Prince of Wales reaches next stage ahead of Arctic op

Warrant Officer 1 Stuart More has gone on deployment with HMS Prince of Wales, leaving his wife, Chief Petty officer Katie More, to look after the children. He is a trustee of Little Troopers, a charity that supports military children. Pictured: The Moore family

'My children were in tears when mum was gone, now I'm on the flagship'

HMS Queen Elizabeth looks glorious as she returns to Portsmouth after major revamp on Monday 27th April 2026
Pictured: People at the Round Tower watching as she comes in

Live HMS Queen Elizabeth is back in Portsmouth after major refurb

The Royal Navy flagship, HMS Prince of Wales, left Portsmouth on April 24 bound for sea trials. Pictured: Grace Clark, of Lee-on-the-Solent, alongside Emma Beard while they waited to see Leading Hand Stanley Bastable.

Crowds gather to see HMS Prince of Wales leave - pictures

The number of Royal Navy overseas training exercises are set to fall over the next four years. Pictured: HMS Prince of Wales returning home to Portsmouth.

Downing Street gives hint about whether carrier will go to Middle East

HMS Dauntless arrives in Portsmouth on Thursday 19th February 2026. She joined forces with the French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle.

'Threats' neutralised as HMS Dauntless 'defeats' hostile forces

The number of Royal Navy overseas training exercises are set to fall over the next four years. Pictured: HMS Prince of Wales returning home to Portsmouth.

HMS Prince of Wales to lead Arctic Strike Carrier Group deployment
The Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales will lead a UK Carrier Strike Group to the North Atlantic and ‘High North’ in a bid to bolster regional security, the Prime Minister has announced.
Kelly Brown

Homecoming of Daring class destroyer HMS Dauntless from the Round Tower, Portsmouth.

HMS Dauntless joins forces with France carrier Charles de Gaulle

Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond is due to be decommissioned this year after 30 years of Royal Navy service. Pictured is the ship in Mumbai, during HMS Prince of Wales’ carrier strike group deployment to the Indo-Pacific.

"Busy" Royal Navy stalwart HMS Richmond to be decommissioned

Defensive laser weapons will not be fitted to the Royal Navy aircraft carriers HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth.

No plans to fit laser weapons to Royal Navy aircraft carriers

Air-to-air refuelling drones could be used on the Royal Navy aircraft carriers HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Advanced air-to-air refuelling drones could be on HMS Queen Elizabeth

Royal Fleet Auxiliary sailors who were deployed on Operation Highmast, headed up by the Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales, have been honoured for their hard work and dedication.

Unsung heroes of HMS Prince of Wales deployment honoured for hard work

Warrant Officer Daz Hemmings (54) reunited with his family at HMNB Portsmouth. HMS Duncan conducted a Christmas homecoming from the Mediterranean in December 2024.

25 emotional pictures of Royal Navy Christmas homecomings

AB Oli Carter, 24, aircraft handler aboard HMS Prince of Wales, spoke of the tense moments the crew experienced while traversing the Red Sea and South China Sea.

"Proud" HMS Prince of Wales sailors reflect on op after homecoming

HMS Prince of Wales will be heading back to Portsmouth his weekend following a huge deployment to the Indo-Pacific. Pictured is a view of the 24 F-35B Jets embarked onboard the Flight Deck of HMS Prince of Wales.

"Proud" HMS Prince of Wales to return home from huge deployment - when

HMS Prince of Wales is closing in on a return to Portsmouth following a huge deployment to the Indo-Pacific. Pictured is the Royal Navy flagship on November 15 at anchor off the coast of Naples, Italy.

HMS Prince of Wales nears homecoming after "mammoth" deployment

HMS Prince of Wales will be placed under direct Nato command during major drills in the Mediterranean sea. Royal Navy sailors will work alongside Italian counterparts.

HMS Prince of Wales to be placed under Nato command in Europe first

HMS Prince of Wales (left) forming up alongside INS Vikrant (front) during Exercise Konkan. The Carrier Strike Group is over halfway through the Operation Highmast deployment. She is passing through the Red Sea as Operation Highmast near its end.

HMS Prince of Wales passing through Red Sea as deployment nears end
The Royal Navy flagship is reaching the end of her deployment as her carrier group passes through the Red Sea.
Freddie Webb

Indian Air Force Su27s and 2 Jaguars plus two UK F-35Bs pass over the Arabian Sea. This marked the end of HMS Prince of Wales' visit to India.

Indian pilots "joust" with British jets on "truly memorable" op

HMS Prince of Wales while working alongside the Indian Navy. The UK Carrier Strike Group has finished its military and diplomatic engagements.

"Highly successful" HMS Prince of Wales visit to India ends

Prime minister Keir Starmer is greeted by prime minister of India Narendra Modi on his arrival at Raj Bhavan on October 9, 2025 in Mumbai. A £350 missile deal has been signed amid the arrival of HMS Prince of Wales and the UK Carrier Strike Group.

Historic deal signed with India amid HMS Prince of Wales deployment

HMS Prince of Wales (left) forming up alongside INS Vikrant (front) during Exercise Konkan. The Carrier Strike Group is over halfway through the Operation Highmast deployment.

HMS Prince of Wales sails with INS Vikrant as "complex exercise" ends

There are calls for a new and advanced drone to be deployed on HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Calls for "strike and refuelling drone" to bolster aircraft carriers

HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy flagship, has joined forces with the Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on Exercise Konkan.

HMS Prince of Wales joins forces with India carrier INS Vikrant

The advanced new Sea Venom missile will be used on naval strike helicopters deployed alongside the Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales.

New Sea Venom missiles set for HMS Prince of Wales helicopters

A military expert believes the freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific could be at risk following China’s actions against the Royal Navy. Pictured: HMS Prince of Wales on Exercise Bersama Lima.

Freedom “concern” after China harasses HMS Prince of Wales

HMS Richmond has moved on from operations in the South China Sea and visited Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Royal Navy pushes forward after being "harassed" by China

Captain Colin McGannity has handed over Command of the UKCSG Carrier Air Wing to Captain Edward Phillips. This comes as HMS Prince of Wales continues her deployment in the Indo-Pacific.

HMS Prince of Wales carrier group Air Wing Commander passes on role

HMS Richmond keeping a watchful eye out for North Korean warships, as they support efforts to uphold sanctions against Kim Jong Un.

HMS Richmond reinforces North Korea sanctions through focused ops

The Royal Navy will increase its activity alongside The Philippines in light of HMS Prince of Wales' UK Carrier Strike Group deployment. Pictured: Defence peer Lord Vernon Coaker visiting capital Manila.

Royal Navy activity "set to increase" in Philippines amid carrier ops

HMS Prince of Wales (front) and HMS Queen Elizabeth are to be transformed through the use of a Hybrid Combat Air Wing, with the First Sea Lord pushing for it to be implemented.

"Almost unrecognisable": First Sea Lord outlines carrier changes

Medical personnel embarked on HMS Prince of Wales carrying out an intense casualty evacuation drill.

HMS Prince of Wales personnel conduct medical emergency drills on op

Royal Navy personnel testing futuristic underwater drones that can protect undersea cables from harm. This took place during Exercise Talisman Sabre, which saw HMS Prince of Wales take part in a huge operation.

Futuristic Royal Navy underwater drones tested on op

The Defence Secretary John Healey attends a reception onboard the HMS Prince of Wales on the occasion if the ship being the first foreign carrier to dock in Tokyo with The Defence Minister for Japan, Gen Nakatani in Tokyo. The UK-Japan relationship has been hailed as a major success.

"Strongest partnership": UK-Japan relationship hailed on carrier op

The UK Carrier Strike Group, led by the Royal Navy's Largest Warship, HMS Prince of Wales is visiting Japan for the first time. This is the halfway point in her nine month deployment to the Indo-pacific region and is her gold stop of the deployment.

Memorable greeting for HMS Prince of Wales as she visits Tokyo

HMS Prince of Wales and the UK Carrier Strike Group joined forces with the Indonesian Navy on the latest step of their Indo-Pacific deployment.

"Great experience": HMS Prince of Wales links with Indonesian Navy

Defence giant BAE Systems has announced a strong financial performance after playing a vital role in preparing HMS Prince of Wales for her deployment to the Indo-Pacific. Pictured: The Royal Navy flagship leaving the city on April 22, 2025.

"Strong performance": BAE Systems profits rise aiding carrier op

RFA Argus is currently stuck at HMNB Portsmouth due to having her safety certification withdrawn.

"Hollowed out" RFA Argus stuck at HMNB Portsmouth due to safety issues

Defence secretary John Healey said the UK is ready to fight alongside Australia when asked about potential China escalation over Taiwan. He added that he would prefer a peaceful solution.

HMS Prince of Wales will react in any China-Taiwan dispute, MP said

The government is pushing for drones to be integrated faster on the Royal Navy aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

Faster push for drones to be used on Royal Navy aircraft carriers

A historic defence trade agreement has been signed between the UK and Australia worth up to £20bn, in the backdrop of HMS Prince of Wales becoming the first Royal Navy carrier to visit Darwin this century.

"Historic" £20bn UK-Australia treaty signed on HMS Prince of Wales op

As part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, Royal Marine Commandos from 42 Commando have been training with Australian Commandos in New South Wales. They boarded a passenger ferry near the Sydney Opera House.

Royal Marines swoop on ferry in Australia "anti-terrorism" op

HMS Prince of Wales completed Exercise Talisman Sabre off the coast of Australia with her carrier strike group, joining forces with American sailors. Pictured Top to Bottom: United States Aircraft Carrier, USS George Washington and UK Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales.

"Unwavering" HMS Prince of Wales joins forces US carrier on huge op

Major missile upgrades have been fitted to three Royal Navy Type 23 frigates, with plans to roll this out to 11 ships. Pictured: HMS Richmond, part of the UK's Carrier Strike Group on Operation Highmast.

"Potent" new missile upgrades fitted to three Royal Navy ships

Sailors on HMS Prince of Wales wrote letters home to their families saying what might happen on crucial part of deployment. Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales sails into Singapore on June 23. She is currently leading the UK Carrier Strike Group on the Indo-Pacific deployment called Operation Highmast.

Carrier sailors wrote concerned letters home while in Red Sea

HMS Prince of Wales has left Singapore and is heading towards Australia for Exercise Talisman Sabre, where Royal Navy and RAF personnel will join other international allies. Pictured if the aircraft carrier seen at night docked in the Port of Singapore on June 25, 2025.

HMS Prince of Wales leaves Singapore for "largest" Australia exercise