Operation HIGHMAST
What does the carrier strike group deployment do for Britain?
The Carrier Strike Group 25 mission, named Operation HIGHMAST, provides an opportunity for the United Kingdom (UK) to conduct a major global deployment and to exercise complex operations alongside partners and allies. It represents not only the culmination of years of investment in the Royal Navy’s carrier strike capability, but also a symbolic strategic statement. With threats rising globally and tensions simmering in the Indo-Pacific region, the deployment sends a message of deterrence against adversaries, and of solidarity with allies.
The What
The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales departs from Portsmouth today as the flagship of the Carrier Strike Group, kicking off the eight-month international deployment under Operation HIGHMAST. She will first join up with the rest of the group – including the Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond, the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, and an Astute class nuclear-powered submarine – off the coast of Cornwall. These warships will be accompanied by RFA Tidespring, which will provide vital logistical support. In total, approximately 2,500 Royal Navy personnel and 592 members of the Royal Air Force (RAF) will participate. Additionally, around 900 British Army personnel will be involved in various exercises throughout the deployment.
A key objective of this deployment is the formal declaration of full operating capability for the Lightning Force. This milestone will be marked by the deployment of 24 F-35B Lightning II Joint Combat Aircraft aboard HMS Prince of Wales, fulfilling a prior commitment by the Carrier Strike Group commander. This is a significant moment, which means that the aircraft and its associated support and engineering is working at its full potential to be able to deploy two squadrons wherever they are required in the world.
These fifth-generation aircraft will be supported by Merlin helicopters, tasked with anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning, and Wildcat helicopters for surface strike and maritime security roles. For the first time, the group will also integrate drone technology into its logistical operations. A fleet of nine Malloy T-150 octocopter drones will deliver supplies (such as food, parts and personal packages) between ships. The trial of the new systems alongside crewed aircraft is intended to free up the more expensive helicopters to focus on their primary role of protecting the task force.
At the outset of the deployment, the Carrier Strike Group will operate under North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) command during Exercise Neptune Strike, a major operation which tests the alliance’s capacity to coordinate complex maritime strike capabilities, including aircraft carrier and amphibious elements. The group will then transit the Indian Ocean, engaging in joint exercises and port visits with international partners such as the United States (US), India, Singapore and Malaysia. The culmination of this effort will see the task group integrated into Exercise Talisman Sabre near Australia, one of the largest multinational military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region. This will be followed by bilateral training with the Japanese Self-Defence Force and a port call in India.
Twelve other nations will contribute to the deployment at various stages, underscoring the multinational nature of the mission. Notably, Norway will provide consistent support throughout the operation, with the Royal Norwegian Navy vessels HNoMS Roald Amundsen and HNoMS Maud accompanying the group for the entire duration. Canada’s HMCS Ville de Québec and Spain’s ESPS Méndez Núñez will also participate for significant portions of the voyage.
The Why
When looking at the reasons behind the deployment of a carrier strike group to the Indo-Pacific, there’s no better source than the Rt. Hon. John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence, who said of Operation HIGHMAST:
This is a unique opportunity for the UK to operate in close coordination with our partners and allies in a deployment that not only shows our commitment to security and stability, but also provides an opportunity to bolster our own economy and boost British trade and exports. As one of only a handful of countries in the world able to lead a deployment of this scale, the Royal Navy is once again demonstrating its formidable capability while protecting British values and sending a powerful message of deterrence to any adversary.
What does this tell us? The deployment of carrier strike groups to the Indo-Pacific, rather than limiting engagement to smaller-scale missions, represents a deliberate and symbolically significant strategic choice. As capital ships (the largest and most capable vessels operated by a navy), aircraft carriers possess an inherent and commanding physical presence. This is evident both during manoeuvres at sea and in port visits; showcasing a level of visibility and impact which smaller warships are unable to match.
In peacetime, naval presence operations are a fundamental element of maritime strategy, designed primarily to shape the perceptions and behaviours of potential adversaries, deter aggression and demonstrate resolve without resorting to conflict. Within this context, the appearance of a British carrier strike group in the Indo-Pacific conveys a multilayered symbolic message. It reflects not only a projection of military power and operational reach, but also a commitment to international partnerships, regional stability and the rules-based international order.
Beyond their symbolic significance, carrier strike group deployments also serve as practical instruments for strengthening relationships with regional allies and partners. One key avenue for this is through port visits, which not only provide opportunities for high-level diplomatic engagement and trade negotiations, but also for fostering interpersonal connections among naval personnel. These interactions contribute to the development and reinforcement of professional relationships across all ranks, from senior commanders to junior sailors. Such bonds, grounded in camaraderie and mutual respect, are essential components of effective international cooperation and possess intrinsic strategic value.
In addition, participation in both bilateral and multilateral naval exercises enhances operational interoperability among participating forces. This capability becomes critically important in potential conflict scenarios, where the ability of allied navies to operate in a coordinated and seamless manner can influence the outcome significantly. Exercises conducted during these deployments provide the practical experience and shared procedures necessary to improve joint operational effectiveness, ensuring that multinational forces are better prepared to respond collectively to emerging security challenges.
Given the pressing and ongoing need for Britain to deter and monitor Russian naval activity and maritime ‘grey zone’ operations within the Euro-Atlantic theatre, it would be understandable to assume that deployments to the Indo-Pacific might be deprioritised. However, the continued commitment to such missions underscores the importance which the UK attaches to its role in supporting global security. This engagement reflects not only a symbolic assertion of presence and solidarity, but also a tangible contribution to regional stability. It sends a clear and deliberate message to potential adversaries regarding the enduring reach, resolve and strategic intent of Britain beyond its immediate waters.
Dr Emma Salisbury is the Editor of The Broadside, Sea Power Research Fellow at the Council on Geostrategy and Associate Fellow at the Royal Navy Strategic Studies Centre.
To stay up to date with The Broadside, please subscribe or pledge your support!
What do you think about this article? Why not leave a comment below?
Great article, thank you. I get the argument of what it achieves. My challenge is what about the intervening four years between deployments. If we buy that it deters when it's in theatre, what about the years that it's not. Unless it is part of an allied rota of continual carrier presence then it is not really deterrence apart from the two months it's in that theatre. If a hostile actor has moved between deployments then the carrier can only be a reaction to a fait accompli.