British, Canadian And Norwegian Ships Gather For Operation Highmast

Operation Highmast, the biggest Royal Navy deployment of 2025, is officially under way after ships left bases across Europe, headed for the Far East.

Aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales and her 1,600-strong crew were waved off by thousands lining Portsmouth’s waterfront yesterday (Tuesday); she will lead the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) on its eight-month Indo-Pacific mission.

A few hours later destroyer HMS Dauntless followed suit; meanwhile Plymouth-based frigate HMS Richmond left her base to join the U.K.’s flagship. She was followed into Plymouth Sound by Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Québec, which is also assigned to the CSG for much of its mission. 

Making up the initial flotilla will be two Norwegian vessels, tanker KNM Maud and frigate KNM Roald Amundsen, which are sailing directly from Norway, and tanker/support ship RFA Tidespring, which has been training in waters around the U.K. after a recent overhaul.

In the coming days the CSG will embark up to 24 F-35B fifth-generation strike fighters and squadrons of attack, troop-carrying and anti-submarine helicopters, plus drones.

The CSG is commanded by Commodore James Blackmore from aboard HMS Prince of Wales. Describing himself as “delighted” to lead the deployment, he commented: “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.

“This will reaffirm that the U.K. is secure at home and strong abroad and reinforce the U.K.’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific.”

Captain Will Blackett, Commanding Officer of HMS Prince of Wales, said: “I was born in Portsmouth, went to school barely a mile from the dockyard and when I was ten I sat on the harbour walls watching aircraft carriers sail out and said: ‘One day I want to be captain of a ship like that.’

“Here I am doing that and this ship is a fantastic machine, but she only works thanks to the magic brought to her by the 1,600 people on board, working hard, a magnificent team.”

Commander Richard Kemp, HMS Richmond’s Commanding Officer, added: “My team in HMS Richmond have worked incredibly hard to prepare themselves and the ship for the exciting period ahead and I am extremely proud of their efforts.”

As part of the deployment the CSG is set to participate in Exercise Neptune Strike under NATO command in the Mediterranean, testing high-end maritime strike capabilities. Further exercises and port visits will follow in the Indian Ocean, with partners including the U.S., India, Singapore, and Malaysia.

The CSG will also link up with 19 partner nations for Exercise Talisman Sabre near Australia, visit Japan, train alongside the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, and conduct a port visit to India.

• You can read more details about HMS Prince of Wales’ departure and more about the frigates joining her on the Royal Navy website